STA chats with Thomas Bucich about the Into the Light exhibition at Whitewall Gallery in Berrima.

The concept was started in 2020 when Thomas was in the process of exhibiting artwork by Australian Fashion Designer Aurelio Costarella. One day chatting about mental health and Aurelios role as a Lifeline Australia ‘Ambassador’, the conversation became the catalyst for Bucich to launch an inaugural exhibit to raise awareness to the cause that was to be undertaken during Mental Health Week.

After a successful first year, it was decided to include an Australian-wide non-acquisitive Art Prize to encourage a greater reach of artists from around the country.

There are more than 60 artists in the exhibition with 11 from the Southern Tablelands Arts region. Local artists featured are Virginia Arregui, Lilly Cummins, Louisa de Haas, Rae Freeman, Maria Gorton, Clayton John, Millie Knaff, Roxanne Lillis, Judith Nagala Crispin, Libby Wakefield and Slavic Zivkovic. 

This year we’ve been so moved to see such a strong reaction from artists all over Australia wanting to champion the cause and submit works to be exhibited and sold with a percentage of sales to support two Lifeline Chapters, MacArthur and WA” with over 300 applications received that have been narrowed down to 60 finalists.

As an artist and a creative director for Whitewall Art Projects, mental health is a prime concern within my own personal and family life, as well as the broader community that we’re part of.

From our artists to our collectors, art is a healing process for those who make it to those who enjoy living with the final product.

As an artist and promoter of other artists and their works, mental health awareness has always been an important issue for our industry. My goal has always been to make Whitewall Art Projects an experience for artists to be able to engage with, and a platform for them to share their personal stories through their art.

From our artists to our collectors, art is a healing process for those who make it to those who enjoy living with the final product.

As an artist and promoter of other artists and their works, mental health awareness has always been an important issue for our industry. My goal has always been to make Whitewall Art Projects an experience for artists to be able to engage with, and a platform for them to share their personal stories through their art.

By having a strong online and in gallery presence, we encourage viewers and collectors to connect with the often very personal messages, thoughts and narratives deeply layered into the works of art in the exhibit.

The annual exhibition aims to promote mental health awareness and donates 10% of sale proceeds to Lifeline Marcarthur and WA branches. This year is the first year $5000 prize money has been sponsored by Cadence and Co Southern Highlands. 2021 Judges were Jennifer Bott AO, Richard Morecroft, Peter Hickey and Michael Kilkeary. The exhibition will be viewable online and at Whitewall Art Projects Gallery at 10 Jellore Street, Berrima, Southern Highlands NSW

You can view the entire exhibition at Whitewall Art Projects or follow them on Instagram.