Trophy Dreams

Exhibition: From 30 May to 30 August 2022 (Term 2), UNSW Main Library Level 5

UNSW Library and UNSW Art Collection partnered with Studio A, Australia’s leading art studio for artists living with intellectual disabilities to present Trophy Dreams, a multi-artform interactive experience that featured a new artwork specially commissioned for UNSW. Visitors were invited to try on Emily Crockford, Jaycee Kim and Victoria Atkinson's decorated graduation gowns and consider the artists' perspectives on the meaning of universities, test their putting skills with Annette Galstaun's spiritual mini-golf experience, and enjoy works by the talented Studio A artists in the University's art collection. Amongst this joyful creativity serious subjects were addressed ranging from our relationship with the spirit world to the accessibility of tertiary education.

This project was a collaboration between the UNSW Library and UNSW Art Collection in partnership with Studio A.

Featured artists:
Victoria Atkinson, Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan Pelham, Damian Showyin, Greg Sindel

Person with a crown of flowers on their head, holding a butterfly decoration and with butterfly wings spread out from the sides of their body. Overlay of stars in galaxy.

Annette Galstaun and Chistopher Haysom
Still from Dance of the angel fairy 2021
Single channel video loop with audio
Courtesy of the artist and Studio A

About Studio A

Studio A is a supported studio and powerhouse artist collective based in Sydney that challenges disability inclusion within contemporary art. Working across painting, sculpture, new media and performance, Studio A artists regularly participate in major exhibitions including the Archibald Prize and The National, collaborate with other creatives including Romance Was Born fashion house, and undertake high-profile projects with institutions such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Studio A tackles the barriers that artists living with intellectual disability face in accessing conventional education, professional development pathways and opportunities needed to be successful and renowned visual artists. The enterprise paves professional pathways for such artists so that they can achieve their artistic and economic aspirations and reduces stigma associated with people with disability.

Visual Communication and Inclusive Practice Symposium

Friday 15 July 2022 10:30am to 12:00pm

This half-day symposium was co-hosted by the UNSW Disability Innovation Institute and featured Gabrielle Mordy, CEO and Artistic Director of Studio A and Studio A artist Greg Sindel, along with leading UNSW researchers. This symposium was aimed at anyone working in the area of disability inclusion and expanded the conversation around using visual strategies to include, engage and collaborate with people with disability.

Illustration of flying foxes and goannas interspersed in shades of red, orange and yellow patterned trunks. Green leaves and blue sky form the background.

Emily Crockford
The Flying Fox and the Goanna in Patterned Leaves 2021
acrylic on canvas 52.5 x 180 cm
Purchased 2021
UNSW Art Collection. P 2021/1239
Courtesy of the artist and Studio A

Header image
Annette Galstaun, Graduation Gown (detail) 2022
Courtesy of the artist and Studio A

Click to enlarge image

Speaker and artists standing in front of exhibition information wall, speaking to unseen crowd. Artist Emily Crockford is holding her artwork.

Artist in blue dress speaking to unseen crowd alongside other speakers and artists. Some artists and speakers are wearing or holding artworks.

Speaker in suit holding microphone speaking to unseen crowd, standing in front of exhibition information wall.

Shane Simpson speaking in front of a semi-circle crowd of approximately 60 guests.

Artist in colourful striped scarf showing two guests their artwork on the wall among other colourful works.

Four guests standing in a semi-circle talking to each other, with a backdrop of exhibition artwork. One guest is wearing a cap from the exhibition.