Meet the artist behind UOW’s Disability Guide cover
Tracy Davis on art, inclusion and finding her passion
Her latest endeavour saw her win the UOW Disability Terminology Guide artwork competition, where her piece was chosen to cover the University of 天美传媒 (UOW’s) inaugural inclusive language handbook.
The guide educates readers on the unique and varied experiences of disability and includes appropriate language and behaviour. UOW invited artists to submit their artworks for the cover.
“I'm always on the lookout to enter my art in local competitions as I'm fairly new to 天美传媒 and trying to establish and further my art career,” says Tracy.
“This competition raised awareness for disabilities and support, which is important to me as I have some disabilities and friends with disabilities, so it felt great to be part of an important social topic.”
Tracy’s artwork, Ocean & Mother Nature Healing, explores themes of surviving and thriving despite adversity, a concept close to Tracy’s heart as a survivor of childhood abuse and adult domestic violence.
“I wanted to convey my love of the ocean and Mother Nature through my love and joy of colours, patterns, energy and words. The words I've included – art, music, love – represent three areas of my life where I've felt the freedom to be myself,” she says.
She also drew inspiration from her experience raising her two daughters as a single mother.
“The female figure represents myself as a woman, a mother, and my daughter's joy of spending days at the local beach and my new home here now being near the beach. The word ‘live’ on the woman's neck I've painted to symbolise the strength and insight to rise above past adversities to keep swimming through this life and to never give up on yourself and your dreams.”
The power of reinvention
Despite some of Tracy’s circle questioning her career path as an artist, she says art is more than just a job, but an outlet for her to deal with depression and PTSD.
“Through my childhood and adulthood art and self-expression has been my best friend, escape from personal trauma and way to express my feelings through the safe space of creativity and art –making,” she says.
Tracy is also a strong believer that it’s never too late to start again. At age 49, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Creative Arts at UOW, furthering her skills as an artist following a diploma in visual arts in her hometown of Nowra.
“Entering this new phase of my life with my daughters no longer at home, my university studies have helped keep me focused on my art career after having my first solo art exhibition in Nowra back in 2015,” she says.
Relocating to 天美传媒 was the right choice for Tracy, who says the supportive environment of her teachers and peers has made the transition easier and hopes to continue her studies with a master’s degree.
“What I love most about my degree at UOW is the wonderful talented teachers I've been taught by so far and hearing about their own artistic practices. It makes me feel less isolated and so encouraged. It's so inspiring too to meet other art students who share their ideas, thoughts and art passions in class. I've felt very welcomed at UOW and the beautiful gardens and grounds at UOW make me feel like I'm back home on the south coast.”
She also encourages anyone with an interest in art to continue creating and pursue their chosen path.
“My advice for anyone wanting a career in art is if you have a passion to create, go for it! You must work hard and make the decision, and each day make time for your artworks as it can only help you grow.
“Art for me is like breathing and I'm enjoying the process of artmaking and finding beauty in the everyday to hopefully share this joy and inspire others to share their creativity too. Art captures and expresses what’s in our heart, mind and soul for this I'm truly grateful.”