Artist to feature in disability campaign

Dunedin artist Tanya Faiva with some of her artwork at Studio2, in Dunedin. Photo by Gregor Richardson.

The South Dunedin artist is one of five across the country to be featured in this week's ''I'm an Artist'' campaign, which is aimed at changing attitudes and behaviour towards people with disabilities, sensory impairment and mental illness.

Her face will be on huge posters with some of her art, which are being pasted up around the streets of Dunedin as part of the campaign.

Ms Faiva has an inherited condition called Friedreich's ataxia, which causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

While the disease does not affect cognitive function, it makes the physical aspect of painting difficult for her.

''Painting is hard work for me, but I love doing it because I'm creating things people like - and that makes me feel good.''

Arts Access Aotearoa has organised the social change campaign with funding from the Ministry of Social Development's Making a Difference Fund.

The campaign promotes people with disabilities or mental illness as artists who make great art with the support and guidance of community-based creative spaces.

Ms Faiva has had her work featured in two national art exhibitions, and said the support at Studio2 in Moray Pl had been invaluable - ''I wouldn't be able to make my art if it wasn't for the facilitators there,'' she said.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull this week opened a month-long exhibition of Ms Faiva's work at Studio2.

In addition, the information centre at the Dunedin Botanic Garden will feature a display of her artwork.