We caught up with South Australian artist and poet Oliver Mills, to learn more about his creative pursuits and how he chooses his Hireup support workers.
Tell us about your art?
I started doing artwork nearly ten years ago. I like to be as independent as possible and do it on my own. One of my signature techniques is using my fingers to scratch or move the paint on the canvas. I also use specially designed holders that attach to my hand to help me hold art brushes, charcoals and crayons. I can then use the movement of my hand to create lines or circle strokes on the paper. I like expressing myself, and finding new ways to show others how I see the world. Because I am non-verbal it gives me another way to communicate how I feel or what I think about life. I also enjoy exhibiting my artwork and selling my paintings or greeting cards. I like feeling successful.
You use Hireup for support. What do you look for in support workers?
Because of my disability, everyday is different for me. I look for workers who can be flexible and don't mind if things change direction at the last minute or need some extra time. We also need people who are reliable that we can depend on to make our very busy days a bit lighter. It's really helpful for Mum and I to have people that are willing to help with anything that needs to be done to help us get through our day.
We look for people with good manners who are respectful and polite. They also need to be careful and attentive, thoughtful and vigilant because of my seizure activity. But also people who are fun and cool.
Your artwork was chosen as the official pin for International Day of People with Disability. What was that like?
I felt excited, it was an awesome and excellent opportunity. It was amazing how my artwork got discovered by the team at International Day of People with Disability, and how easily the project came about. This is a very special and important project to me. Even though it might look like my physical disability limits my range of movements or what I can physically do, I always want people to look at what is possible. I want people to stop expecting that I can’t do things and instead start expecting that there is more to me than just my disability. I think that what I have achieved with having my artwork on this lapel pin is a really good way to start showing others how capable all people with a disability are.
What do you hope to achieve next?
I would like to grow my small business Oliver's Choice which I promote my artworks, books and merchandise through. My art mentor Jock is a pretty fun and awesome guy, so I never know what cool project he might have for me around the corner. I also want to continue working with Sharon, my poetry mentor, exploring spoken poetry, Instagram poetry, print a chapbook (a small book of poetry) based on my journal and eventually to get a publisher to print my next book. I would also like to apply for an art grant this year.