THE NEAR-DEATH experience of a car accident helped Newtown artist Ben Hughes realise his dream.
“Since the accident I have been more focussed, more determined and I’m doing things I should have done before it happened,” Ben said.
He created the concept for a board game some time ago but did nothing about publishing it until this year.
“The accident has, in a strange way, taken away the fear of failure,” Ben said.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I no longer put off what I need to do.”
Ben broke his spine in the accident, spent four weeks in hospital and is still in rehabilitation.
“Since the accident I’ve had lot of time off work but I’ve used the time to do what I should have done long ago.
“It changes your perspective and, even though I’ve had some dealings with depression and have my up and down days, I’m more confident.”
With the first anniversary of his accident is in two weeks, Ben is celebrating by having his creative work included in a unique and emotional exhibition opening on Tuesday.
The TAC exhibition, Picture This, offers Victorian artists recovering from road trauma the chance to showcase their work.
Ben’s board game, Zombies, Aliens & Monsters (oh my!), will soon be in limited production after raising $2137 through crowd funding site Pozible, passing his target of $1700.
He already has 22 pre-orders and the game will be available through the Pozible online store.
TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said some of the exhibitors were artists before their accident and others took up art more recently.
“Art provides people with a tangible way to express the emotional trauma that often accompanies a transport accident,” she said.
“Each piece of work provides a powerful insight into their individual journeys.”
Artists have a chance to win the People’s Choice Award as voted by exhibition visitors.
The exhibition will be held at Geelong’s Courthouse Arts from Tuesday to December 16.
