EAST FREMANTLE ceramicist Julie Excell will be among 12 WA artists featured in Creating Connections, a fundraising exhibition presented by OCD WA from October 21 – November 2 at the Terrace Greenhouse in South Fremantle.
Known for her hand-built sculptural vessels, Excell began her ceramics journey in the 1970s in South Devon.
She later moved away from wheel-throwing to focus on coiling, drawn to what she calls its unpredictability and the way form emerges gradually in the making process, often concluding a piece when it simply “looks right.”
Her award-winning work has been shown locally and interstate, including recognition with the Kusnik Award for Excellence in Ceramics.
The exhibition is more than a showcase of talent.
Organised annually by OCD WA, it aims to raise awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder and reduce the stigma around it, while also supporting the organisation’s education and advocacy work.
OCD WA deputy chair and psychologist Michelle Saleeba said social connection and creativity were “powerful pillars of wellbeing”.
“When people come together to make and experience art, they build understanding, confidence, and community,” she said.
“Creating Connections invites the public not only to view the work, but to participate in workshops across the fortnight because making art together can be a meaningful step toward better mental health.”
Ms Saleeba said OCD WA was founded because there had been no dedicated organisation in WA supporting people with lived experience.
“Our founder, Dr Leigh Sheppard, lived with OCD for decades before finally being diagnosed, which gave her clarity, but the experience had been unnecessarily difficult, and it was a challenge to connect with others who understood from a lived experience perspective,” Ms Saleeba said.
“Leigh and a small group of peers set up OCD WA so people wouldn’t have to feel as isolated or frustrated as she had.
“While there are excellent, expert clinical services available, there wasn’t a dedicated organisation providing advocacy for OCD and no consistent peer support community built around lived experience.”
The group now runs peer support meetings, social catchups and contributes to national and international conversations.
“OCD is among the mental health conditions with the longest delays between onset of symptoms and diagnosis or treatment (9+ years according to research both here and overseas) and we’d like to change that.
Ms Saleeba says misconceptions still abound.
The exhibition launches with an Opening Night on Tuesday October 21 at 6pm, with free tickets available via Eventbrite.
by STEVE GRANT