By Tanya Steele
The Mind Drawing Children’s Stories exhibition by artist Jenni Ivins has left audiences with connection, community and conversation which the artist herself is delighted about.
The month long exhibition at The Memo encouraged patrons to immerse themselves and see what they could find.
Jenni’s “Mind Drawings” are designed to get people to look closer and longer and provoke conversations about what is found in the work.
“Mind drawings are all fine line drawings done with a point one drafting pin, and there are things hidden in the pictures,” Jenni said.
“I use my art to help people to see differently.”
The interactive exhibition had a literary theme and encouraged the public to find objects and stories hidden within the art.
Jenni also recently completed holiday workshops at the exhibition and said people really enjoyed the practice of looking at and discussing different points of view when engaging with her work.
Adults and children alike attended the workshops which involved experimenting with a number of different art mediums.
The adults were blindfolded and instructed to draw by the children, which led to giggles all around.
Natural materials and frottage (which is the process of taking a rubbing from an uneven surface) were also featured in the session.
Participants notice something different about her drawings every time and Jenni said a few people noticed her signature was JVW rather than JI.
“I use my maiden name for my art so it’s Jenni Van Wilder,” she said.
Bringing the message that anyone can make art is important to Jenni and she appreciates the chance to meet her audience.
“Art is really freeing for people and the process is as important as the outcome,” she said.
The final weekend of the exhibition was attended by patrons of Jenni’s Connecting Communities board game which was featured in Star Mail during Covid lockdowns and continues to have an active social media group online.
Jenni is always charmed by how much the community loves where they live.
“People feel strongly about the environment, the scenery and the animals, they really love it,” she said.
