Perth Voice Interactive

WHY give an exhibition a name nobody can say and which causes immense difficulty for keyboard-challenged journalists on old computers?

To demonstrate that the Perth arts community isn’t silenced by the closure of many of its galleries in recent years, says Merrick Belyea.

“We are not silenced we still have a voice, but it’s an abstract voice,” he says.

Belyea and artist mate Miic Green used symbols rather than a name for an exhibition of theirs last year.

With more galleries having closed since then they’re doing it again, this time for artists Don Walters and Thomas Heidt—with an unpronounceable title comprised of letters and symbols.

And once again Green, an Artsource board member, is throwing open the roller door of his studio to bring one of Maylands many laneways into the mix.

“It’s too good an opportunity to pass up—the chance to transform my studio into a gallery for the weekend, support Western Australian artists, and enliven the back lane ways of Maylands,” he says.

Green and Belyea won’t be exhibiting their own art, instead they are the curators and organisers, media spruikers and general dogs’ bodies.

People often think of artists as self-absorbed, Belyea, a member of Art Collective WA, says.

“We see it as a community, helping each other…this is our response and a chance to move from traditional gallery space.”

Belyea says German-born Heidt’s works are about complex issues around chaos theory and random numbers, “turned into solid objects”.

“I have a lot of respect for his rigorous attention to his work,” he oohs.

Fremantle-based Walters moved west from Melbourne some years ago and this will be his first gallery showing.

The sculptor, painter and graphic artist explores the use of abstract shapes and bold colours.

“Both [artists’] images are different but rely on repetition,” Belyea says.

“[They] are highly proficient artists, very professional about the way they do their works.”

All work is for sale, and the curators aren’t taking commission but 20 per cent of sales goes straight to the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia organisation.

Fistula, caused by long and difficult births, has a devastating impact in developing countries on the lives of affected women who are rendered incontinent and often shunned.

“It’s a good cause, and one I believe people in a country like Australia should be supporting,” Belyea says.

The exhibition is on at Miik Green Studio, the rear laneway behind 64 Crawford Road, Maylands.

It opens Saturday November 29, 6pm and will be open on Sunday November 30, 1–5pm.

by JENNY D’ANGER