Rob Ramjan: Dorothy Art Competition
Artist biography
Rob has been a resident of the Inner West all of his life and has worked with people with severe and persistent mental illness for 50 years. He has been CEO of One Door Mental Health for 28 years with the Dorothy Art Competition beginning in 1991 as a way of showcasing the incredible artistic talent of people with mental illness.
The first competition was judged by Tim Storrier who was deeply impressed with the quality of the art. Little has changed. With his sister Barbara Ramjan who has curated 10 competitions, One Door is embarking on the 11th competition in partnership with Trinity Grammar’s excellent Delmar Gallery.
Artforms used
Painting, drawing, mixed media.
The competition and exhibition
People with mental illness experience severe pain, isolation and stigmatisation. They have illnesses like any other except the organ affected is the brain which leads to much of the misunderstanding and fear. With it now acknowledged that one in four Australians will experience mental illness, such misunderstanding is no longer acceptable.
My experience is that people with severe and persistent mental illness are some of the most honest and caring people I have met. Their ability to contribute to the social and cultural wealth of our nation will be on display for all to see. Their capacity for artistic creation stretches from Arte Brut to Portrait painting. Their work has the ability to touch our inner selves, as does Vincent Van Gogh’s work continues to do.
This competition will showcase both new works as well as a number of past prize winning works.
The story behind the competition and exhibition
This competition commences a new life as the Dorothy Portrait Prize for portraiture and the Frank Walker Memorial Prize for general art works. Roger Shouldice, a resident of the North Coast of NSW, has raised money for perpetual prizes in both categories to honour his mother, Dorothy, who lived with schizophrenia, and to honour Frank Walker QC who was President of One Door for a remarkable 14 years. Frank was a Member of both the NSW and Federal Parliaments.
We need to look beyond the diagnosis that may be applied to the person to see the beauty that is there. People with mental illness are just like the rest of us with the same desires and aspirations. We need to apply that great Australian dictum, a fair go for all.
Website and social media links
Website: trinity.nsw.edu.au/delmar-gallery
Social media: @Delmargallerysydney #delmargallerysydney