Neurodivergent artist Mahlia Amatina has created an exhibit about humanity, connectedness, and laundry. Exhibit opens at the Menier Gallery in London November 21 through December 2.
Conceptual abstract artist Mahlia Amatina invites you to discover Around the World in 80 Washing Lines, an interactive autism-friendly art exhibition depicting unique washing lines across the globe. The exhibition has already had fantastic success touring both galleries and launderettes in the South of England, inviting visitors to discover the story behind each garment and washing line, and now the exhibition concludes with a final show-shopping interactive installation at the Menier gallery, London.
Around the World in 80 Washing Lines explores the connections and similarities of each washing line using a combination of photographs, textiles and a multi-sensory catalogue of effects including touch, smell and sound. Artist Malia Amatina explains the reason behind the project; “The project started as a means to highlight similarities between us as human beings, in a world where we often focus on differences. The universal washing line is a perfect means to do this: we all have laundry to do; irrespective of who, what or where we are in the world.”
Visitors can interact with each installation of clothes and get a glimpse of the person behind the garment by reading a short blog with real quotations. The exhibition reaches out to a wide and diverse audience, including those suffering with autism, alongside those to whom art is not fully accessible. As an autistic artist, Mahlia is keen to create an exhibition that is appealing and available to those across the spectrum. The campaign has already gained fantastic acknowledgment thus far having been recognised for its charitable efforts by the prestigious Arts Council, receiving funding earlier this year. The project has also been backed by The National Autistic Society.
Some highlights of the exhibit include:
The exhibition will officially open on November 21st and guests are invited to raise a glass and say ‘cheers’ to #80WashingLines from 6.30pm onwards. Mahlia is due to open the exhibition with a short speech at 7pm.
For further information about the Around the World in 80 Washing Lines exhibition or Mahlia Amatina’s artwork please get in touch with Jessica Alley at Little Red Rooster PR on jessica@littleredrooster.co.uk or Mahlia Amatina on mahliaamatina@gmail.com.
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Mahlia says about her Asperger’s diagnosis “My diagnosis made me think about how I experience the world, my art practise and how accessible art truly is to a variety of audiences – including those on the spectrum. In particular it made my sensory sensitivities more valid (by getting a diagnosis) and I wanted to create an exhibition that people could experience using a variety of senses, including sight, touch, smell and hearing. This has then enabled me to raise awareness about autism at the same time (as people ask why it is a multi-sensory exhibition) – which I have also been doing through my previous exhibition ‘On a Spectrum.” Find out more about Mahlia on her website here. You can purchase art work by Mahlia on her artfinder store here.
Mahlia:
love the world of washing lines.
My German friend and I were working on the washing lines when we had a great amount of travelling towels and other things like eye masks.
And I often get to talk to my aunt or other family members when the washing is done.
““The project started as a means to highlight similarities between us as human beings, in a world where we often focus on differences. The universal washing line is a perfect means to do this: we all have laundry to do; irrespective of who, what or where we are in the world.”