Exhibitions
HARRY - New Perceptions
7 - 24 December, 2010
HARRY shares a complex story through her art.
Having suppressed her desire to draw from a young age because of abuse, she re-awoke to her natural talent and began drawing in gaol several years ago while on trial for attempted murder. Cleared on all charges and released after 9 months, Harry, whose real name is Debra Barry, chose to do something with her drawings. This lead to her first solo exhibition, Sasquatch's Perceptions in February 2010. Debra honestly examined her own past in this first exhibition. It is a past that includes, mental, physical and sexual abuse as a child; alcohol and drug abuse; being bashed, stabbed; being institutionalised and the tragic death of her long-term partner. Despite this, her message is overwhelmingly positive.
New Perceptions is Debra's second solo exhibition and quite remarkably, she has completed the more than 50 works for this show in a little over 10 months. Her dedication to her image making is relentless. The very process of creating these works combined with the goal-oriented approach she has created for herself, has helped to keep her focussed on a positive path. From Sasquatch's Perceptions, which featured both raw subjects and heavily dense surfaces, to New Perceptions, Debra has carved out a significant style and technique that has become recognisably her own.
The use of a complex language of symbolism is still present in her work, but is now more carefully refined, giving her new work a simplicity and poignancy that more clearly reveals its message. With each work telling either a specific story about her past or conveying a message about her future, her symbolism and her felt tip pens have become her tools of choice.
Debra freely admits that if not for her art, she may well be dead. A bold assertion, but also one that is consistent with her desire to open herself completely when showing her art. It's a generosity that also extends to her desire to help others in the same way others have helped her.
Part of the proceeds from sales on artworks in New Perceptions will be going to several charities: 10% of sales of Pen and ink drawings will be donated to the Big Issue Australia. 10% of sales of Mixed media works will be donated to Art For Our Animals. All proceeds from the sale of "Froggy" will be donated to Kairos