Jillian Karl’s new exhibition at A-Gallery and the hidden struggles of brain damage

Jillian Karl with a piece from her new collection -impacted. Photo / Olivia Reid

Jillian Karl wants people to get up close and personal with her new work.

The Whanganui painter’s new exhibition, ‘-impacted’, explores the often hidden struggles people with brain damage live with.

Brain complications have impacted Karl and people close to her and she said the pain, loss and isolation of brain damage often went unseen despite it affecting so many lives.

She hopes the exhibition helps the viewer feel seen in the same way she likes her art to be seen.

“The paint becomes a symbol, an act of disruption and damage ... addressing the tough reality and disruption quietly endured by so many,” Karl said.

“I am just wanting to make awareness of the support that people need.”

The exhibit will also feature two articles about dyslexia and brain damage to further inform the public of these issues.

Karl has been painting since 1960 and has won several prestigious awards including the Edith Collier Award and the Artitudes Excellence Award in New York.

“It’s a privilege to be doing what I do, and follow my passion,” she said.

Since earning her Masters from Elam School of Fine Arts, she has focused on black work using gesso paint.

Karl said she encouraged people to get up close to experience her art as someone would shake a stranger’s hand to introduce themselves.

‘-impacted’ opens on Friday, September 13, at Whanganui’s A-Gallery in Glasgow St. It is on until November 17.

Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.