Red Shoes Rock and artworks roll in for unique exhibition

Artwork inspired by red shoes will soon beautify the once-blank slate walls of the Walkway Gallery at Tatura Community House for the Red Shoes Rock Art Exhibition, with an official launch event on Monday, September 9.

Why wait until the ninth day of the month?

Well, International FASD Awareness Day is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month to highlight the significance of maintaining an alcohol-free lifestyle throughout the nine months of pregnancy.

Cheryl Dedman, a Tatura local and chair of NOFASD Australia, said the inaugural exhibition was “a different way of raising awareness that also combined community”.

“My idea was to unite our community by allowing everyone to produce something from their own creativeness,” she said.

“It’s already had such an impact on extending awareness of FASD, which wouldn’t have been there had we not been doing the exhibition.

“It’s a very informal way of getting the message out there and having people realise, ‘Well, what am I doing this for? What’s the red shoe all about?’”

The red shoe in question is part of an annual international movement called Red Shoes Rock.

Launched in 2013, it encourages individuals to wear red shoes, a sartorial statement that punctuates the subject of FASD into everyday conversations.

Despite being the leading preventable developmental disability in Australia, FASD remains relatively unknown to many.

The disorder can cause cognitive, behavioural and physical problems that impact an individual’s motor skills, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation and social skills.

Each individual with FASD is unique, possessing both strengths and challenges, yet they share a commonality: a lifelong disability.

Ms Dedman has long advocated for de-stigmatising the disorder, promoting education and providing support.

Undoubtedly, the exhibition will further this goal.

The Walkway Gallery will exhibit the work of over 20 artists, including painters, sculptors, jewellery designers and photographers.

“We’ve been told the type of medium that they’ve used, but until it arrives, we don’t know what it looks like,” Ms Dedman said.

“There’s so much anticipation and excitement to see what they’ve done with the theme.”

One exhibitor whose work left no room for questioning was her son, Jacob Dedman, known as Digital Journey Photography.

Getting on the front foot of the red shoes movement, the local lensman created a catalogue of 56 Goulburn Valley community members, including three politicians, sporting their signature red kicks.

Like many artists involved in the project, he has pledged to donate the proceeds from the sold works to NOFASD Australia to assist those affected by the disorder and their caregivers.

“We didn’t have the exhibition to raise money, but we offered to artists if they’d like to donate a percentage of their sales ... most said they’d donate 100 per cent,” Ms Dedman said.

“The Tatura Community House said they would donate their commission to NOFASD Australia too — they’ve been amazing and really embraced the idea, and so has our community.”

Community members attending the exhibition launch are encouraged to wear red shoes or socks to further show their support.

Another option is to wear a red item of clothing.

The Red Shoes Rock Art Exhibition launch will take place on Monday, September 9, at 1.30pm at Tatura Community House, 12-16 Casey St, Tatura.

The exhibition will be on display throughout September.