Artist Jeffrey Kelson exhibits his ‘artistic journey’
A vibrant showcase of mixed media works on canvas at Quadrant Gallery, Hawthorn from May 8-31, Kelson’s pieces are a testament to life-force and vulnerability.
Melbourne artist Jeffrey Kelson latest’s exhibition, Celebration: A Vibrant Artistic Journey, is a collection of 40 uplifting and life-affirming collages created in response to a recent diagnosis of late-stage pancreatic cancer.
“They are celebrations of my life,” Kelson told The AJN.
A vibrant showcase of mixed media works on canvas at Quadrant Gallery, Hawthorn from May 8-31, Kelson’s pieces are a testament to life-force and vulnerability, capturing the essence of his experiences.
“The idea is to capture the essence of my life before and after the diagnosis,” he said.
Through a rich palette of colours and intricate compositions, Kelson expressed that his arts provides “windows” into his journey – reflections on fragility, resilience, energy, acceptance and optimism.
Before his diagnosis, Kelson focussed on portraiture and has held a number of exhibitions, including Tribute: Child Survivors of the Holocaust at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and Volunteers at Cabrini Hospital. He recently submitted a portrait to the Archibald competition.
Kelson graduated as an architect in 1965 and ran an art gallery at Mt Tamborine in south-east Queensland in the 1980s. He has taught portraiture and takes commissions.
Kelson has dedicated Celebration to the support he is receiving from the Cabrini Hospital, with all proceeds from sales going towards the establishment of their new palliative care unit. Kelson was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer in September 2022 when he was aged 81. The doctors presumed he had only 6-9 months to live. Kelson credits his love for creating art for improving his longevity. Palliative care specialist Dr Eric Fairbank was one of Kelson’s art students before his diagnosis. Dr Fairbank believes in the difference that a passion for art can make in a patient’s journey.
“I have witnessed on many occasions the ways in which deep involvement in art can help patients through their cancer treatment as they draw on their own deep reserves of mind, will, and spirit,” he said.
Asked about his life as an artist Kelson said, “I like creativity, and whenever I get an opportunity, I try to produce something… It’s all about being imaginative and looking for ways to express myself.”
The Celebration exhibition is at Quadrant Gallery, 72 Barkers Road, Hawthorn from May 8-31.
For more information email: contact@quadrantgallery.com.au
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