FEEL Heal 2021

FEEL/HEAL’ is the first solo exhibition of works by Finnish-Australian artist Emily Rastas at The Hue and Cry Collective in Geelong.

The exhibition transforms the gallery into a kaleidoscopic dreamscape from 22nd October until 25th November, 2021.

Consisting of a series of colourful paintings, sculptures, sensory room, and wearable art, the exhibition focuses on tactile stimulation and the healing potential inherent to both the creative process and the immersive encounter of art. The tactile process of stitching, threading, and layering of fabric involved in making wearable art, informs her approach to painting and sculpture, where the application of colour, texture, and form, help in alleviating anxiety, enabling personal and situational coping.

The artworks are arranged according to a thematic structure that moves through the five phases of personal growth: Denial, Acceptance, Gathering, Experimentation, and Creation. At the heart of the exhibition is the ‘Pelispace,’ a sensory room that is designed to stimulate all of the senses.

Emily Rastas: I wanted to construct a multi-sensory environment that would cuddle me like a soft blanket - a mirrored room that would allow me to see myself in a myriad of colourful ways. To see, hear, touch, smell and taste serenity, joy, calm and reassurance.”

Emily Rastas: my lived experience with anxiety and chronic pain resulted in months of immobility forcing me to self reflect; accepting past traumas and mistakes, learning, understanding and changing thought patterns and behaviours.”  The exhibition marks a significant moment in her journey of healing and every colour, light, smell and sound exudes the same sense of enchantment that Emily herself experienced while making her art.

Emily wants visitors to her exhibition to “please touch the art AND allow yourself to be touched by the art. Even if bright colours are not your cup of tea, I invite you to indulge your other senses in an immersive experience with a healing touch.”

"When one door closes, another always opens" Emily standing in doorway of her exhibition in front of original painting