Art’s for the birds as Brenda ponders entry options

Alex de Vos
Disabled Geelong artist Brenda Wise is torn between entering her bright yellow paper mache house or colourful bird sculpture in a second annual KarnivART competition.
The 19-year-old budding artist is proud of both pieces of work.
Hovering over the three-bedroom miniature replica of her family home, Ms Wise carefully puts the final touches on her latest creation.
“I’ve been working on the house for a few weeks now,” she tells the Independent.
“I really like paper mache.”
When it comes to art, not even an intellectual disability stands in her way.
Over the past year Ms Wise has dabbled in screen printing, sculpture, painting and paper mache.
Most of her work features birds, depicted in various colours, shapes and sizes.
“She loves birds – it’s her thing,” Karingallary art teacher Zoe Snyder said.
This year’s KarnivART competition provides disabled artists with an opportunity to showcase their work while competing for $2000.
Ms Snyder said the exhibition was open to disabled Geelong artists aged over 18.
Artist Jamie Daddo would choose the winner on March 26, she said.
Identical twin of television personality Andrew Daddo, Jamie suffered a brain injury after a car hit him on AFL grand final night in 1985.
Ms Snyder urged artists to enter their work in the competition before March 26.