Kate Kenworthy’s solo art exhibition 'Can You Hear What I See?' opened at the Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) in late May. Her body of work explores the river systems of the Dubbo region and the Burrendong Dam.

Kate has a visual disability, but don’t let that discourage you: she relies heavily on her ability to feel and hear to compensate for her poor eyesight. “I don’t try to paint the visual scene as such," she says of her technique. "Instead, I want to change the visual to a painting that shows strong, bold movement to demonstrate the sound and the texture of the world as I experience it through my own senses."

Kate applied for the opportunity to have her own exhibition space through WPCC’s HomeGround program which supports emerging regional artists living and/or practising in the Central West region of NSW to focus and expand their skills under the guidance of a professional gallery and curatorial team. HomeGround is sponsored by Wingewarra Dental, and Kate was also given an additional grant through Orana Arts to assist in purchasing her art materials for the exhibition.

“I’d like to thank Dr Bruce Gray at Wingewarra Dental for supporting artists and Orana Arts for giving me the opportunity to be taken seriously," Ms Kenworthy said. "This is so important when starting out as an artist and these sponsors have opened doors for and given me the opportunities that are very hard to come by. I also wanted to thank the staff at the WPCC for the amazing opportunity to use a space in such a well-respected gallery.”

On opening night well over 70 people attended the exhibition, which is travelling from Sydney and Canberra. Well-renowned artist Tim Miller also attended opening night. Wellington-based Ms Kenworthy spoke about her art and the importance of water throughout her life having grown up with the Bell River running behind her home. Guests had the opportunity to ask questions about her techniques and her experiences leading her to changing careers.

“I couldn’t believe it when my application to be selected for the HomeGround program was successful. A lot of people apply and the fact that people in the art world believed in me still amazes me. People have said to me that it is lovely to have a hobby in my art. I hope now that people will understand this isn’t a hobby. It is my career, and it is anything but a hobby. It is a lot of hard work --- it is very expensive to pursue using professional resources and is also extremely rewarding," Ms Kenworthy explained.

Since the opening of her exhibition, she has won a Hanging Art Highly Commended prize in the Dunedoo Unlimited exhibition with a painting she named 'Hector'.

Kate Kenworthy’s exhibition is open until July 31 at WPCC art space.