Two generations of surfers create art together

Ten year old Ashley initially didn’t think much of coming to his mother’s work during his school holidays. Now, he will see the artwork he created while he was there, with South Australia’s ACH Group Swan Cottage customer, John, exhibited at the SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival.

“During my school holidays I would go to my mother’s work at Swan Cottage. I started talking to John and we realised we are both surfers,” Ashley said.

“John showed me photos from when he was 20 years old with his mates surfing in Victor Harbor. I like surfing as well.”

It wasn’t long until they turned this common passion into art.

“I wanted to create a painting for the SALA exhibition, so Ashley and I started painting a surfboard together, because it is something we can both relate to,” said Mr Butters , who was involved in one of the ACH Group SALA exhibitions last year.

Mr Butters lives with Parkinson’s disease so he and Ashley decided to use their hands, instead of brushes, for their painting.

Ashley’s mother, Charmaine, said there were days they looked like ‘smurfs’ with blue paint everywhere.

“I could tell that both John and Ashley were learning from each other and that is very positive. They have bonded through this experience and were both very excited about producing something together.”

John and Ashley’s artwork will be exhibited at ACH Group Mile End – 22 Henley Beach Rd, on the 17^th and 24^th of August from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. SALA runs from 1 to 24 of August.

ACH Group will present to five other exhibition venues:

• Highercombe Residential – 7-11 Sirius Ave, Hope Valley
• McLaren Community Club – 177 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
• Murray Bridge Community – 108 Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge
• Milpara Residential – 147 St Bernards Rd, Rostrevor
• Unitarian Hall – 99 Osmond Terrace, Norwood

Click here for individual venue opening hours.