Millicent Spencer
After losing her son in a fatal car crash in 2009, Attwood resident Karen Robinson turned to painting and photography to express her emotions.
Thirteen years later, Robinson is opening a solo exhibition at the Broadmeadows Town Hall in honour of her son, Ben Robinson.
Robinson said after her son was killed in a single vehicle car crash, she turned to creative writing, painting, and photography as a way to maintain her mental wellbeing.
“When my son was killed I did a lot of paintings, and nine of those paintings are at TAC,” she said.
“I found that painting was a solitary endeavour, and it didn’t get me out connecting with people.”
It was this realisation that led Robinson to explore the medium of photography further.
“Photography became a family endeavour, and helped rebuild the family after the tragedy,” she said.
“I have been able to include my husband, daughter, and granddaughter on my photography adventures, and I’ve reengaged with them by being out enjoying nature and taking photos.”
Robinson’s exhibition will showcase a collection of limited edition archival prints featuring landscapes, seascapes, woodlands, autumn images, birds, and flowers.
“I hope to inspire the viewer to experience and appreciate the natural wonders within the Melbourne Metropolitan region and throughout country Victoria,” she said.
Robinson said she hopes the works serve as a reminder that we are caretakers and nurturers of the natural world, and we owe it to future generations to come to preserve it.
All of Robinson’s prints will be available to purchase and proceeds will be donated in full to Amber Community, a not-for-profit organisation contributing to the safety and wellbeing of road users.
Robinson’s exhibition, ‘Portraits of Nature’ opens on Tuesday, November 29 and runs until Sunday, February 5 at the Town Hall Broadmeadows Gallery.
