Thinking in Pictures: Chalmers Road School

Chalmers Road School caters for students aged 4-18 with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities. In this context making art is a very sensory process and art lessons are structured in a way that enable all students to access and complete a process. This often requires modifying materials and finding inventive ways to engage students and these processes in themselves are as interesting as the final product.

Artist in Residence, Howard Mathew has documented the processes and tools students used to create these artworks. This video is exhibited alongside finished works of art to offer the viewer an insight into how students’ access and make art. The aim of exhibiting process alongside product is to not only share how complex facilitation in this context is but importantly to foreground that children with disabilities are capable of unique and striking works of art. 

EXHIBITION:
Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub
5 December – 1 February 2026

OFFICIAL OPENING
Wednesday 3rd December 2025, 12 noon

GUEST SPEAKER
Richard Manchee, Principal, and Howard Mathew, Artist in Residence, Chalmers Road School

RSVP:
Monday 24 November 2025
Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.
exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Q&A: Chalmers-Rd-School-Q-A-Ironbark-Gallery-Exhibition.pdf(PDF, 544KB)

Media Release(PDF, 142KB)

Event Overview(PDF, 90KB)

Watch Now: Exhibition Tour - Thinking in Pictures: Chalmers Road School

Image: Students at Chalmers Road School, Sensory Surfaces (detail), plasticine print on colour paper, 2025.

Spinning the spirits: Wai Han Lee

Strathfield Library & Innovation Hub

Wai Han’s exhibition explores traditional textile practices that are deeply interwoven with human innovation, creativity, and resilience. All materials were sourced locally, including wool fleece and native plants. The works embrace a wide range of traditional, hand-based techniques—carding, spinning, felting, natural dyeing, and stitching—to investigate the transformation of raw fibre into textile art.

The artworks reflect the evolution of textile-making, revealing the labour, time, and material transformation embedded within each process. The incorporation of native plants enhances the organic character of the works and signifies care and respect for nature. By celebrating imperfection, texture, and material authenticity, the exhibition invites viewers to reconnect with the beauty of slow craftsmanship and to reconsider the value of sustainability, labour, and mindful creation in the contemporary world.

EXHIBITION:
Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub
6 February – 29 March 2026 

OFFICIAL OPENING
Thursday 5th February 2026, 6pm

GUEST SPEAKER
Dr Danica Knežević
Artist, academic and Sessional Lecturer
Australian Catholic University

RSVP:
Thursday 29th January 2026
Bookings are required for the opening for catering purposes.
exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Artist Q&A(PDF, 2MB) 

Image Wai Han Lee, Wool carder, 2025, monochrome photograph on cotton rag [left], Spinning on wheel, 2025 monochrome photograph on cotton rag [centre], Spinning wheel bobbin, 2025, monochrome photograph on cotton rag [right]

Please email exhibitions@strathfield.nsw.gov.au for more information.

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PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

 Applications are now open to exhibit in the Ironbark Gallery in 2026.

 APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1 DECEMBER 2025

All applicants are evaluated by a selection committee and based on the written application and supporting material provided.

Those considering applying are encouraged to refer to past exhibiting artist, Marina Mavritsky’s application as an example of a succinct and considered application(PDF, 2MB). 

All applicants should read the Community Art Space Program Scope and Conditions.pdf (PDF, 197KB)(PDF, 223KB)

View the Ironbark Gallery floor plan here(PDF, 606KB)

Questions or comments? Please email Ironbark Gallery Curator  renee.porter@strathfield.nsw.gov.au