2020 exhibition by the artists of the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre

ART FROM THE HEART OF THE CROSS

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“In our day-to-day work at Uniting MSIC, we delight in interacting with an enormous variety of people. The annual art project, now in its 10th year, adds another special dimension. To support all this creative expression, and then see the framed results hanging in a gallery, makes me appreciate how much there is to unite us all.”

Dr Marianne JaunceyMedical Director of Uniting MSIC

Art from the heart of the Cross 2020

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Art from the Heart of the Cross is an annual exhibitionshowcasing the diverse artistic talents of people who visitthe Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC).

Established in 2001, in the heart of Sydney’s Kings Cross,Uniting MSIC was the first supervised injecting centrein the Southern Hemisphere and the English-speakingworld. Since then, we’ve been providing safe andcompassionate care for some of the most marginalisedand disenfranchised members of our community.

Uniting MSIC is a place where people can use drugs underthe supervision of medical staff and health professionals,with the provision of emergency care if required, andaccess to broader health services including pathways totreatment and rehabilitation. We take the time to buildrelationships, so that people know we’re here when they’reready and able to seek support.

Every year the centre runs a 4-week art project, givingclients the opportunity to express themselves creatively. An empowering aspect of the project is the public display and silent auction of artworks in the Art from the heart of the Cross exhibition.

2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the project and this year’s theme is Community, which, given the significant disruption and disconnection caused by the COVID pandemic is more relevant and important than ever. Art is an invitation into the dreams of a community, and we hope that you find yourself connecting with these works and the people who created them.

All proceeds go directly to the artists. Art from the heart of the Cross is a not-for-profit initiative of Uniting MSIC.

Find out how to buy the artworks on the back page ofthis catalogue.

Art that speaks from the heart.

EXHIBITION SHOWING21 November – 29 November Venue: 107 Projects107 Redfern St, Redfern

ONLINE BIDDING CLOSES7 December

Welcome

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005.Red Light DistrictCeejayAcrylic Paint on canvas30.5 x 22.7 cm

004.WomenCeejayAcrylic Paint and Pen on canvas25.5 x 25.3 cm

001.Part Time Schizophrenia ReworkCeejayAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

002.Too Cute to Shoot GirlsCeejayPaint on Cotton T Shirt

003.Too Cute to Shoot BoyCeejayPaint on Cotton T Shirt

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006.AheadCeejayAcrylic Paint on board 45.2 x 30.3 cm

I will not look back. I will stay clean - just for today.

Started all over again. Look at me now. Now I am beautiful.

From the darkness I grew... From the darkness. I am leading my own path.

007.GrowthCeejayAcrylic Paint on board 45.2 x 30.3 cm

009.United We Stand CeejayAcrylic Paint on canvas 60 x 50 cm

010.Red Light District: Naughty Girl CeejayAcrylic Paint on canvas board 50 x 40 cm

008.ShineCeejayAcrylic Paint on canvas 60 x 45.2 cm

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013.???ClintPaint on board 31.5 x 25.5 cm

015.Dot to DotCrazy1Acrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cmThis is colours that do not clash with any other they go just with the way they are so I like you to have a look.

014.Da-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-NaCrazy1Cardboard and Acrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cmHa, Batman with his equipment, he’s got all his things to be ready for anything at any time.

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011.Part Time Schizophrenia CeejayAcrylic Paint on canvas 30 x 30 cm

012.RewindCeejayAcrylic Paint and Marker on canvas board 50 x 60 cm

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017.G n DDanielleAcrylic Paint on canvas 91.5 x 91.5 cmA story about personal loss and grief. The ocean represents final release and freedom. The dots represent new beginnings and a fresh start.

016.HindsetCrazy1Acrylic Paint and Mixed Media on canvas50 x 40 cmOut of suberbs a Sunny spring branch cabin with my lover and me in a country place all live springs, in this you see has all bodies of dead animals. The farmer man lives to work his way all the time. Never ends.

018.Untitled 1HeidiStickers on canvas 20 x 20 cmThis is all of the animals, you see them in the movies. In the forest all of the animals can feast and never go hungry.

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019.Untitled 2HeidiStickers on canvas20 x 20 cm4 active animals in formation, ready for action.

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020.Kiron VirusHeidiAcrylic Paint, Glitter & Stickers on canvas 40 x 40 cmA sickness you would not want to feel, heavy, disorientated and unhappy and the sickness can never be healed.

023.The World Of DragonsHeidiAcrylic Paint and Stickers on canvas 20 x 20 cm

021.The CobraHeidiAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cmIt is most commonly found in India, men put performances on by bringing the snake up through the basket by sedating it.

022.Seed of LifeHeidiAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cmA plant like this is found commonly growing in gardens in backyards.

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Gathering light of unique colours in the solar system. The planet Venus is where reptiles roam in through dreamtime, they’ve landed through air in lightness of energy on earth hoping for a better life.

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This art piece is one of a kind, you will not see this anywhere else. This is made by a girl named Heidi, also named Crazy1. It has real pollen and bark on it.

024.Nature’s WattleHeidiMixed Media, Wood, Blossom, Acrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cm

025.UntitledJamesOil Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

026.Invasion of the 3 MissionsJeffreyAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

027.CultureJeffreyAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

028.Stormy DayJohnAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cmA storm tossed ship is not going to make it into port due to the low tide and exposed rocks.

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029.True StrengthKimAcrylic Paint, Pen & Ink on canvas 50 x 40 cm

030.Trust NoOneLealAcrylic Paint, Posca, Paper on canvas40 x 40 cm

031.Untitled 1LealAcrylic Paint, Posca, Paper on canvas 40 x40 cm

032.Untitled 2LealPosca Pen on canvas 50 x 40 cm

033.Here for a Good Time (Not A Long Time)LealPosca and Acrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

034.Sunny NightLukeAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

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035.Not To Be JudgedMarley and BarbaraPaint, Paper, Pen on Glass Pane 45 x38 cm

036.Kidja BannaMarley FisherAcrylic Paint on board 187 x 82.5 cm

037.Human CommunityMegan MosesMixed Media on Board 94.5 x 33.5 cm

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This work was inspired by my growing up in the rainforest with my granddad. It's called Kidja Banna, kidja means moon, banna means water. The colours were inspired by the city's many shades of grey.(Full story page 26)

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How about if,We first pause - and look into each other's eyesWith our hearts still unarmouredAnd our faces not yet assembled into masksLet's stay in this moment of not knowing Grant each other access to who we really are.(Full story page 26)

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038.The Community Of MeMegan MosesMixed Media and Acrylic Paint on canvas 90 x 90 cmA multitude of selves resides within the person that I am. A microcosm of the macro cosmos.(Full story page 27)

039.City Life (Not Alone but Lonely)Megan MosesMixed Media and Acrylic Paint on canvas 76 x 50.5 cm

040.Hey MisterMegan MosesDigital Print on A3 paper

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You would think that the cityWith people, people everywhereIs the friendliest place on earth…(Full story page 27)

The moral test of a community is how it treats those who live in the shadows of life.(Full story page 28)

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041.COVID in UteroMikeAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

042.Au LautrecMikeAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

043.Tribute to MunchMikeAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

044.MelekhovMikeAcrylic Paint on canvas board 60.5 x 76 cmCossack from the front cover of And Quiet Flows the Don (by author Mikhail Sholokhov) in 1929.

045.Lady Cecilia Gallerani with KelpieMikeAcrylic & Oil Painton canvas 40 x 50 cmLeonardo da Vinci inspired, this is an Australian woman holding a kelpie instead of an Ermine.

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046.Abdul Aziz WahabzadahMikeAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

047.The Man Dancing on VP Day 1945MikeOil Paint on canvas 80 x 80 cm

048.Homeless Jesus on the Streets of MelbourneMikeAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

049.Ottoman Soldier, 1915MikeAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

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This man threw an EFTPOS machine at the Christchurch Mosque shooter - that deserves recognition.

Based on the photo of "The Dancing Man" snapped pirouetting on Elizabeth Street which reflected the nation's relief after Victory in the Pacific.

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050.Pool Of KnowledgeMikeAcrylic, Oil Paint and Pastiche on canvas 81.5 x 132 cm

051.Hunted by NightMortishaAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

052.FlamingoNicoAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

Hunted by night, those on the desert outskirts don't hunt too much. Recently when I was in custody, I'd been to 2 different gaols then he came to me. The snake is the rainbow serpent, she is defending her nephew. The snake and the emu visit the waterhole by night, in the left corner.

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053.ReflectionsRamonAcrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cm

054.In BetweenRamonAcrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cm

055.The WaterRamonAcrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cm

056.The SunRamonAcrylic Paint on canvas 20 x 20 cm

This year it was a very messy process. I had to be in the right frame of mind to do the works.

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057.Dragons in Flight 1RussAcrylic Paint on canvas 40 x 40 cm

058.Dragons in Flight 2RussAcrylic Paint on canvas 50 x 40 cm

059.Untitled 1SkeptaAcrylic Paint on canvas 30 x 40 cm

060.Untitled 2SkeptaAcrylic Paint pour on board 22 x 30 cm

Painting is a basic gift that I like, enjoy doing.

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061.Untitled 3SkeptaAcrylic Paint pour on board 22 x 30 cm

062.Untitled 4SkeptaAcrylic Paint on canvas 30 x 40 cm

063.Methadone ManSSPen and Pencil on A4 paper

064.UntitledSSPen and Pencil on A4 paper

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"Waterhole" represents Aboriginal people coming together to hunt fish.

"Boomerang Hunting" represents Aboriginal people hunting food.

065.MessagesTennealCollage, Pen on A3 paper

066.WaterholeTracey LordAcrylic Paint on board 32.5 x 39.5 cm (framed)

067.Boomerang HuntingTracey LordAcrylic Paint on canvas 60 x 30 cm

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069.Beautiful LandTracey LordAcrylic Paint on canvas 61 x 61 cm

070.Helping HandsTracey LordAcrylic Paint, Glitter on canvas 60 x 50 cm

071.Untitled 2Tracey LordAcrylic Paint and Ochre on canvas 50.7 x 76 cm

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068.Untitled 1Tracey LordAcrylic Paint on canvas 61 x 30.5 cm

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Aboriginal dreaming of the land and its beauty. The turtle represents land and the butterfly represents beauty.

Hand up, not a hand out.

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072.A Classic View Black & White NudeAnnie LevouePhotograph

073.Hope for HumanityAshleyPhotographic Series

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I no longer work in the adult industry and while happy about that, sometimes I like to dress up and take some pictures. I was feeling down and isolated so I dolled myself up, set up the camera timer and took this picture of myself.

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074.UntitledAshleyPhotograph

075.Two Peas in a PodNoddyPhotograph

076.Cryptic Words of an AlcoholicNoddyPhotograph

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077.Teenage Mutant Ninja ChoppersSSPhotograph

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78.Don't Give UpPhillip Hunt

If you’re feeling downbeen kicked aroundyou don’t fit ingot a frown on your facehad enough of lifethe human race.

Don’t give updon’t give ina smile starts from a grinhappiness comes from within.

Get out of the rainfollow the sunshake those blueshave some funput on your shoes and run – run – run.

Grab a guitargive it a strumsmoke some reefer, a glass of rumwhistle a whistlehum a humdum-dee de dum-dee de dum-dee dee-dum.

With the world being in a messgives you a headachemakes you stressgot no energy, got no zestlost your touch, your caressyou’re not going to take it you couldn’t care less.

Try to be happynot to be glumget out of the rainfollow the sunput on your shoes and run – run – run.

Grab a guitar, give it a strumsmoke some reefer, a glass of rumwhistle a whistle, hum a humdum-dee dum-dee dum dee-dee dumput a smile on your faceand have some fun.

80.The Morning AfterPhillip Hunt

The night beforeit was all giggles and laughtereveryone was stonedeveryone was plasteredvoluptuous women danced upon the raftersconfetti and coloured balloonsfall from the ceilingthe party had beguneverybody had found their special feeling.

The sweet smell of pot filled every roomthe local undertaker handed out spoonspeyote - lysergic acid and magic mushrooms.

White lightning fresh from the stillsbowls - full of assorted pillsbongs – powders – broads and boozeuppers – downers – reds – whites and blues.

Widows take delight in their sinningin the shadowsthe Devil stands grinning.

The night beforeit was all giggles and laughtercobwebs now hang from the raftersthere has to be a morning after.

79.The MiraclePhillip Hunt

The sun rises to give us lighta kookaburra laughs with delightsnow caps melt upon a mountain topin the valley down belowa river catches every droppoppies grow amongst a rice paddy fieldsweet dreams the harvest we yield.

Flowers bloomingthe bugs and the beesbirds singing in Jurassic treesdolphins – whales – all the fishes in the seas.rain – rainbows – waterfallsall creatures great and small.

The moon appearsas day turns to nightlike diamonds stars shine so brightonly something so perfectcould be so right.

Planet Earth! God’s finest creationto wake up to such beauty a celebration.

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81.CrossroadsPhillip Hunt

Standing at the crossroadsstaring into spacethinking about my futurein this uncertain human racealong came a shady ladyled me down a lonesome dirty trackI knew once she got the hooks init would be a long road backHounds started howlingdarkness headed my wayif I don’t shake her offI know I’m bound to payI started runningI’ve been running to this day.

Standing at the crossroadsin my old blue suede shoessign says no busking allowedand the cops have a short fuseI’m stuck in Redfernwith the Kings Cross blueswith chemicals running through my veinsmadness nagging at my brainI find myself in a holevoodoo chants fill the airblack magic everywhereI’m surrounded by demons and trollsif I didn’t know betterI’d believe I’ve sold my soul.

Standing at the crossroadsas light fades awaygotta hitch a ride‘cause the Devil’s on his way.

82.DOOMEDPhillip Hunt

We were doomed from the startour disease ripped us apartthe chemicals we put in our veinsit was our destiny for a life of painI remember when our love was realbefore the feel for cold steelwhen we were highour love could never diewhen we were straightit sealed our fatewe became strangersin a world of hateour love was an illusionthe drugs added to mix and confusion wasted days wasted yearswe cried a river of tearsit’s hard to rememberif we were ever sincere

Now I sit alone in a roomdamaged from chemicals consumed

I think why go onwhat’s the usethose liquid hand cuffscan’t shake them loose

I dream of a futurethat’s worth livingthat future is nowand it’s so unforgiving.

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037.Human CommunityMegan MosesMixed Media on board94.5 x 33.5 cm

One day, you and I will meet for the first timeAnd find ourselves standing there, awkward and shy

How about if, Before we begin making conversationTrying to impress each otherTrying to assess each otherConnecting and disconnecting on the basis of similarity and differenceComparing our opinions on everything there is

How about if, Before we force each other into arbitrary categories based on politics, religion or raceBefore judgements consolidate in our minds, etched as if in stone And a stance is taken, are you friend or foe?Before all that bullshit, that compare and contrastThat inevitable barricade between your soul and mine

How about if,We first pause - and look into each other's eyes

With our hearts still unarmouredAnd our faces not yet assembled into masksLet's stay in this moment of not knowing Grant each other access to who we really are

How about if,You recognise in me, as I recognise in you, that for all our seeming differencesThe life force in you is the life force in me The breath you exhale is the breath I breathe inAnd our beating hearts are drumsWhose thumping rhythm is sustained by the same Drummer

How about if,Rather than moving from the outside in, we go the other way, insteadLet's start deep inside, at the heartAnd long before we reach the skin in its many varied coloursWe will have traversed a universe of commonality so vastThat any differences between us will seem irrelevant. Irreverent.

How about if,We remember thatThere was a time, not long ago, when neither you nor I existedAnd that time will come again, all too soon What a waste to use our differences, as a trumpet call to warLet's let everything we have in common be our meeting ground instead.

036.Kidja BannaMarley FisherAcrylic Paint on board 187 x 82.5 cm

This work was inspired by my growing up in the rainforest with my grand-dad. It's called Kidja Banna, kidja means moon, banna means water. It started off mostly black with white dots then I ran out of paint to finish off what was going to be a dot painting the deadline was up - I had to improvise. Walking by some professional artist I decided to check in the bin for paint and lo and behold I found a thrown out roller tray. I used it mixed with other pigments to create this which is called, in my language, Moon Water. And the colours were inspired by the city's many shades of grey.

Stories continued

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038.The Community Of MeMegan MosesMixed Media and Acrylic Paint on canvas90 x 90 cm

A multitude of selves resides within the person that I amA microcosm of the macro cosmos The community of meA cacophony of voices, of opinions, wishes, fearsA chorus of contradictions, that have been with me for many yearsMost of them are very ordinary, representing human nature in all its silly glorySome of them are monsters, that whisper and tempt me to take the road to hellA few are little children, still joyous and freeAnd there are other versions too, more painful, especially the me that despises meA motley bunch, these selves of mine, pulling me this way and thatExist in pairs of opposites and make me contradict myselfAs I go about my businessThey take turns on the inner stageFlicker into existence, speak their lines, and then they fade away

Stories continued

They are all intimately familiar, these versions of myselfAnd maybe they would drive me crazy if it weren't for my SelfThat deeper, truer, constant part, my elemental NatureThe energy that animates me, that spark of god that gives me lifeWhen I grow weary of the noise and confusionAnd I can’t decide who I'm meant to beI gather up all the dissenting voices, the fragments of my personalityMy petty judgements, my secret dreams, my hate, my love, my willInto a shining, sparkling heap that towers over meI offer it to god, to do with it what he wants Then, peace is restored and for a while, I am freeUntil, that is, the next act begins in the theatre of me.

039.City Life (Not Alone but Lonely)Megan MosesMixed Media and Acrylic Paint on canvas76 x 50.5 cm

You would think that the desertWhere the earth is parched and rawWhere hot winds whistle through canyons made of stone, cut deepWhere dingoes howl into the night skyWhere lizards slither and scorpions stingWhere the only sign of life sometimes is the tumbling tumbleweedsYou would think that the desertWith no other soul in sightWould be the loneliest place on earth

You would think that the cityWhere the streets are straight and evenWhere cool winds whistle through canyons made of brick, sky highWhere couples walk together and children race around Where there is activity around every cornerWhere music, voices, cars, sing the anthem of urban lifeYou would think that the cityWith people, people everywhereWould be the friendliest place on earth

But in the city, if you are different, not your average joe

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If you live on life’s edges or have even gone beyondIf you look like you are crazy or you talk to yourself too muchIf you find yourself in trouble, homeless, hungry, and lostIf drugs have changed you ‘til you don’t know who you are Or alcohol has drowned you, one bottle at a timeIf violence has shaped you so that fear rules your lifeYou become like that tumbleweed, tumbling aroundInvisible to eyes that don’t want to seeAnd as lonely as anyone can be.

Stories continued

040.Hey MisterMegan MosesDigital Print on A3 paper

Hey mister can you spare a coinIt's cold this morning and I'm aching in every bone I’ve gotHey mister I'm down here, I'm down on the groundYou pretend you cant see me as you sidestep my feet You think I'm so unlike you that I'm not even worth a glanceBut there was a time when I was much different, and you would have shook my hand helloI had a business and a family, a reason to get out of bedSmiling eyes to greet me of an evening, a feeling that I belongAnd then...well, then life happened, and I didn’t handle it well, like dominos falling, a chain of eventsOne day I woke up, hung over as hell, and all of it was goneThe first time I sat here, asking strangers for money, my failure on display for everyone to see Something broke deep inside me, and I haven’t been able to fix it sinceI’ve tried and I've tried but I can’t find a solution to the problem I’ve becomeI can’t find my community, a place where I can just be

I'm tired and I'm hopeless, lost in a labyrinth, trying to find a path back to me

Hey miss beg your pardon can you spare a dollar or two?Miss don’t be scared, I'm harmless, no need to flinch and step awayThough god knows I must look awful, all skinny and pale, my eyes sunken and hollowWith an alcoholics glassy stareMy pants are stained with beer and sitting on the ground has worn them thinMy shirt is stiff with sour old sweat, but to tell the truth, I just don’t careWhen I look in the mirror, I don’t know him, that tired old man looking back at meIn my mind I'm still young and handsome, not this shadow that I seeBut what once was vibrant canvas, alive with colour and texture and depthHas become just an outline, fading more every single day

Occasionally, especially on Sunday afternoons in spring, I'm ambushed without warningBy a hybrid thought and feeling, that this is it for meThis dirty blanket, these thin limbs, this plastic bag filled with my possessionsThis shame that creeps up on meThis is what my life has come to, this is my legacyAnd the grief cracks my heart so damn hard that it squeezes the breath right out of meThat's when I must stop thinking, stop feeling, fade far away into meSo I reach for my smokes, strike a match, inhale deepCount my fortune in coins, arrange them all neatLook up at the passing people and again I make my pleaHey there ‘scuse me can you spare some change for me?

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Art from the heart of the Cross artworks are for sale as framed, and all proceeds go directly to the artists. The artworks are sold to the highest bidder via silent auction.

To own one of these inspirational artworks, go to uniting.org/artfromtheheart, click on your favourite painting and you’ll be directed to the bidding page.

Let us know how much you’d like to pay and we’ll get in touch if you’re the highest bidder. If there are two equally high bids, we’ll draw a name out of a hat.

The silent online auction closes 7 December, and then we’ll get in touch with the highest bidders.

And if your heart’s set on something after bidding has closed, let us know at uniting.org/artfromtheheart and we’ll check if it’s still available for you.

Thank you for supporting the inspirational Uniting MSIC artists.

Thank you to our judges.

Buy something from the heart

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Thank you to our sponsors:

We are proud to acknowledge the fundamental role of the NSW.ACT Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia, in establishing the first medically supervised injecting centre in the English-speaking world at the start of the new millennium in 2001.

Over 40 years ago, the Uniting Church in Australia publicly pledged to “seek the correction of injustices wherever they occur”, and has been committed to protecting and caring for the most marginalised and vulnerable people in our community ever since.

uniting.org/artfromtheheart