Barwon Water has purchased a work from a local artist through its partnership with disability support and services organisation genU.
Aaron Deans’ work is a free-hand piece in pencil and fineliner inspired by Barwon Water’s Black Rock reclamation plant, which transforms sewage into recycled water and biosolids.
Aaron has honed his skills at genU, which supports artists with a disability and promotes their works.
Aaron’s art teacher Gosia Reflinski said was very impressed with the composition and level of detail of the work.
“This is the first time Aaron has tackled the complex issue of perspective in his art,” Ms Reflinski said.
“He was very successful in the execution of this concept in this work.”
Barwon Water and genU have partnered since 2013, when they began their community nursery partnership, providing 40,000 plants annually for Barwon Water revegetation and ongoing full-time employment and training to employees and supported employees.
Barwon Water general manager of customers, community and strategy Laura Kendall said she was pleased the partnership had been able to add art to the list of collaborations.
“Together, we’ve provided important opportunities and outcomes through our plant nursery, Ryrie HQ and garden programs, and now we can add art to the list thanks to Aaron’s work,” she said.
“We’re taken by Aaron’s creative interpretation of our Black Rock site and feel a new kind of inspiration for our work when we see his artwork on display at our Ryrie Street head office.”
Clare Amies, genU’s chief executive, said it was fantastic to see the organisation’s art program having a positive impact like this for Aaron.
“As part of the many disability support services we offer there are a wide range of art programs, all designed to help artists embrace their creativity and express themselves in an inclusive environment,” she said.
