World MS Day: Art Without Limits
On May 30, the neuro community united to celebrate World MS Day.
The 2025 global theme, My MS Diagnosis, provided a powerful opportunity to start conversations, break down barriers, and foster connections among Clients, staff, and the broader WA community. Together, we helped shine a light on the triumphs and challenges faced by people living with not just MS, but any neurological condition - all while reinforcing the need for continued advocacy, research and education to ensure a brighter future for the neuro community.
Art Without Limits
To celebrate this year’s World MS Day, we invited Clients, carers, family members, those living with a neuro condition, or know someone who is, to submit a piece of art that reflects their own Expression of Self.
Prior to the submission deadline, MSWA Client and mixed media artist Hank Gidney hosted art workshops at both the MSWA Beechboro and Butler Service Centres, encouraging all those who came along to play with different textures, textiles and mediums – creatively exploring how they see themselves.
"We all have the ability to express ourselves, we just need the freedom to do so.
"There are no wrong or right answers, it is a process of making, that is the direction and the goal. The workshop was all about having fun and experimenting with creativity," Hank explains.
For those who may not have dexterity or simply prefer to express themselves though their appearance, photographer Jon Gellweiler visited MSWA Service Centres at Bunbury, Wilson and Rockingham to capture some amazing self-portraits. Clients sat and posed, some with props, others with their best ‘blue-steel’, and expressed themselves down the lens.
The completed artwork and portraits were then displayed in the second annual Art Without Limits exhibition, hosted in the lobby at Perth’s Central Park Tower and, for the first time, Bunbury’s Stirling Street Art Centre.
The artworks and portraits on display depicted a very raw and real insight into what living with a neurological condition can look like, both internally and externally.
An exclusive opening night event was held at both locations – allowing all the artists to view their work, with a wine or canape in hand. In Perth, a jazz band performed as more than 100 guests explored the artwork and engaged in meaningful conversations.
“Our community has amazing stories, talent, hopes and dreams just like everybody else.”
"We’re trying to showcase the people, not just the condition that they live with, and breaking down that barrier with the general public to show them another side of the amazing people behind those conditions and what they can really do," said MSWA Community Engagement Manager, Emily Ace.
On the morning of World MS Day, guests and artists were once again welcomed to the exhibitions to enjoy a relaxed morning tea. This was a more casual opportunity to browse the artwork at their own pace whilst enjoying a coffee and connecting with community members.
Throughout the week, attendees were invited to vote for their favourite artwork to win the People’s Choice Award. Irene Beadle received the honour for I Feel Safe Here in Perth. Taking the win in Bunbury was Chris McEnroe with his piece Skateboard Lamp.
Perth's People's Choice Award winner, Irene Beadle with her piece I Feel Safe Here.
I was experimenting with art when I met Claire. We became friends and painted together, mostly acrylic fluid painting which didn’t require a steady hand. Later on, when Claire focused on painting by numbers, her tremors stopped and she even began making her own original versions. Coping with MS meant Claire had good days and difficult days, so she put painting aside until recently when she had a session with Hank at MSWA Butler. I am delighted to be her tutor as Claire has so much. The painting depicts a young deer happily drinking in a forest, where she feels safe.
Bunbury's People's Choice Award winner, Chris McEnroe's Skateboard Lamp.
I love making unique lamps made from recycled vintage items as it brings out my creative side whilst still letting me practice my electrical skills. I was diagnosed with
Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2016, which caused partial quadriplegia and made me a permanent wheelchair user.
Thank you to all the incredible artists, attendees and supporters who helped bring our World MS Day celebrations to life. By sharing your stories, breaking down barriers, and raising awareness for West Australians living with MS, you embodied the spirit of this year’s theme, My MS Diagnosis - highlighting the power of connection, understanding and support.
