LAST SEEN 2023: An Exhibition and Performance to Save Sight

Imagine losing your sight.

In Australia, over 13 million people have one or more chronic eye conditions with close to 500,000 living with a vision-impairment or blindness. Ninety per cent of these cases are preventable or treatable if detected early.

‘Last Seen’ is a collaboration between the Queensland Eye Institute Foundation, Griffith University and Publicis Worldwide.

This poignant and inspiring creative showcase paired vision-impaired Australians with renowned artists and composers to depict their last, or most cherished, visual memory before their sight deteriorated.

The Queensland Eye Institute Foundation is the state’s largest independent academic research institute devoted to eye-related health and diseases. Relying solely on the generosity of donors, businesses and the community, proceeds from the evening, including a live auction of artworks, will support a focus on inherited eye diseases and the creation of Queensland’s first genetic eye diseases register to connect patients with clinical trials.

Griffith University is pleased to partner on this inclusive project, pioneering new ways for the visually impaired to experience and access the arts. Bringing together our Griffith University Art Museum, Queensland College of Art, Queensland Conservatorium and Griffith Film School, this partnership is a commitment to creating positive, meaningful change in our community.

We are grateful to Jane Britt, Oliver Fanshawe, Eleanor Lee, Michael Lyddiart, Alan Nemeth, Lorin Nicholson OAM, David Truong, Dr Jeff Usher, Santiago Velasquez and Inclusive Future’s Engagement Council member Katie Kelly OAM PLY for sharing their stories, including artist Tracie Eaton, who captured Katie’s memory of Merewether Baths in Newcastle (pictured), which raised $11,500 in the live auction.

We are in awe of the talented artists who took the time to not only produce incredible works of art, but also add accessibility into the exhibit, by including miniature tactile versions of artworks including texture, mixed media and braille, along with headsets where attendees could listen to audio descriptions.

Thank you to Professor Analise O’Donovan - Pro Vice Chancellor (Griffith Health) for the kind invitation and Claire Stokes – Director, Industry and External Engagement (Health) for being a generous host. We would also like to thank Anna Cottell; Rhonda Ganko; Professor Linda Agnew - Dean (Academic), Griffith Health; Warren Agnew; and Paul Poree for giving their time and joining us for this impactful evening.

We also extend sincere gratitude to Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, for her kind words about the Inclusive Futures Research Alliance in her speech, and to Anna Cottell, who has very kindly funded an Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Scholarship for students with disability.

Find out more or apply via our website:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/inclusive-futures-reimagining-disability

Visit the ‘Last Seen’ website: https://lastseen.com.au