Diving Deeper into the Transcendental with Artist Pat Basse and Audio Described Aotearoa

On Friday 28 November, the Malcolm Smith Gallery hosted an Artist Talk and Audio Described Tour of their current exhibition, Visual Diary of an Astral Traveller, led by artist Pat Basse. Basse shared stories from her childhood in war-torn England during the 1940s, her later journey to New Zealand, and her eventual visual impairment, explaining how all these experiences have affected and evolved her creative process into what it is now.

Supported by Audio Described Aotearoa, this artist talk featured a narrated commentary for blind and visually impaired visitors. Audio describer Nicola Owen provided detailed descriptions of the exhibition’s visual elements to accompany Basse’s exposition. Her verbal illustrations enhanced not only the visually impaired visitors’ interpretations of the exhibition but also encouraged non-impaired visitors to think more creatively about the artist’s works and engage with their visual effects alongside the conceptual.

Basse’s talk was attended by 25 people, including a significant number of students aged 18-21 from the Blind Low Vision Education Network’s Residential Transition programme. Many of whom were eager to learn more, with students staying after her talk for a one-on-one conversation. Students were inspired by the artist’s story, particularly by her refusal to give up her passion for artmaking despite suffering from Age-related Macular Degeneration. Through setbacks and difficult times, Basse has been able to return to art as a release and reset – so much so that it’s become a sort of spiritual ritual. This exhibition offers visitors a glimpse into the transcendental world Basse has built for herself with the hope that it inspires them to find solace within their own imaginations.

As the gallery’s Visual Arts Coordinator, I’m interested in introducing more Audio Described programming into the 2026 exhibitions calendar. Visual Diary of an Astral Traveller has ended the year on a high note. The talk was much more successful than we anticipated, drawing in a wide variety of visitors from all walks of life.

Visual Diary of an Astral Traveller is on display until Saturday 17 January 2026. However, the exhibition will be closed to the public over the Christmas and New Year break, with the final day to view in 2025 being Saturday 20 December. UXBRIDGE will be welcoming visitors again from 12 January 2026.

For more information on the exhibition and accompanying events, please email [email protected] or visit our website www.uxbridge.org.nz/galleries/exhibitions/