Ashton Filmer – a part of our philosophy of including a local artist in our festival and supporting mental health, and in this case, rehabilitation.
Ashton’s story is that he was a young lad, driving home to Wudinna after a trade school block in Adelaide, he had a serious head on collision resulting in a huge amount of physical injuries and a brain injury. It was suggested that painting and art would help with Ashton’s rehabilitation, particularly with improving his motor skills, getting his brain ticking over in a logical pattern as well as having a positive effect on his mental health. After hearing Ashton’s story we gave him this wall to paint on. He painted this wall taking breaks when tired. Ashton, with his mum for support, was here from sunrise to sunset, painting this piece. As a town we are proud to have played a small part in Ashton’s rehabilitation.