About this Short Film
A Heavenly Piece of Art (Satara Uthayakumaran, Australia, 2022) celebrates creativity and communication. The short film features Auslan and brings together people who are Deaf and those with Down syndrome, intellectual disability or cognitive processing disability, using photography and art as its themes. It offers moments of visual beauty and quiet warmth, inviting viewers to appreciate different ways of seeing and telling stories. Screened in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, the film highlights the abilities, perspectives and achievements of artists with disability. Accessible, thoughtful and visually attentive, it is a gentle reminder of the power of art to connect us.
Film Details
Country:
Australia
Category:
Open Entrant Documentaries
Genre:
Personal Story
Festival Year:
2022
Filmmaker:
Satara Uthayakumaran
Film Transcript
A few months after Karuka was born I was having a long conversation with the mother of a child with Down syndrome. It was a very long conversation and I was asking a lot of questions about what it's like to bring up a child with Down syndrome, what they are like, how they behave, etc. At some point in the middle of the conversation she made this very profound point: she said that at the end of the day Karuka is going to resemble more my other daughter than her daughter, meaning the daughter of the person whom I was talking to. That's the sort of thing that has been a repeated theme throughout bringing up Karuka.
Speech therapy and occupational therapy — she goes for music therapy which calms her down and she also does sports physiology; it helps with the physical activities. Most of all, Auslan is something which has been very useful to her because she's also deaf in one ear and she has moderate hearing loss. She has picked up Auslan really well and sometimes she teaches me how to sign certain words which I don't know. Can you tell me how do you sign?
As important as these life skills are in developing Karuka's ability to function independently in society, our primary goal is for Karuka to have a life with meaning, purpose, love and fulfilment.
We soon discovered Karuka's love for photography. This soon developed into a passion of Karuka's that we saw as a fantastic opportunity for her. We realised that she needed a platform to share the photos that she was so proud of with the many people who had been so influential and supportive throughout her life. This was the beginning of Down to Earth, showing Karuka's original photographs as she explores her world through the lens of a camera.
She's not a child who is defined by Down syndrome; she's a child, a unique child, and art is unique to her. I think her photos have a strong sense of place. There are flowers always with the background of the sky — there's a lot of sky. There are road spots leading to somewhere. She sees place in a very, very interesting way. She brings her own meaning to the places that she photographs.
I also notice that all the photographs are very grounded; they're also reaching for something in that sort of skies and background — the paths etc. They also reach into something. Photography is a passion of Karuka's that is unrestricted by her abilities. She doesn't need to wear hearing aids, she doesn't need to be told what to do, and most importantly it is a reflection of her abilities that also brings her great pride and joy.
We've already seen her abilities create success — winning the Wisdom in Focus people's choice awards and even hosting her own exhibition this year in June. We are so proud of Karuka and we know that she has the potential to go so far with her photography. We hope that it will continue to give her great meaning and passion in life whilst demonstrating her abilities and her great talents.
We live in a society where we are constantly trying to hide or silence the things that we don't like to see — the rush to have a perfect body image, that immigration system that actually stops or prevents people with disabilities from settling in Australia, to the thousands of fetuses with our water every year because they have a disability. We are constantly trying to curate our society to look and save look in a particular way that we like to see. I see Karuka's photographs as a disruption to this. I would invite you to bring your own interpretation to your photos and also to bring your own meaning to it.
Filmmaker
Satara Uthayakumaran is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Satara Uthayakumaran.
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36 comments
I am so proud to be your Auslan tutor - watching you flourish Karuka has been such a joy I love our Auslan lessons and seeing your cheeky side come to light I have everything crossed that your film wins - you are already winners in my eyes So so proud
Keep up the great work in photography I am also a photographer and want to get in to photography as a buisness too
Beautiful photos Karuka A wonderful celebration of your creativity and perspective. Thanks for sharing this with us
Fantastic talent
Excellent
good
The right way to be an inclusive society. Excellent attempt
She is Gods creation and a masterpiece lets not question Gods plan for her and in her and through her.
This video captures the feeling of any parent with kids with disabilities and also what I have learnt as a mum focus on the ability and have faith instead of fear. Thank you Satara for capturing this. It means a lot to the Down syndrome community. Youre such a great sister have seen the love for Karuka. Karuka I your
Great work Satara and Karuka - a lovely glimpse into Karuka's creativity and how those who love and care about her - Amma Appa a loving sister Millie and others are themselves drawn to be heavenly through her - Ps. 134.14.
My wife and I have been friends of Karuka's parents for more than two decades and have grown to know the whole family and to appreciate their approach to life. Karuka's parents Uthayan Surjani and her sister Satara have striven and got the best education and guidance for Karuka and it shows in the way young Karuka has begun to show her creative talents in photography and painting. Especially Karuka's instinct if you could call it that for picking foreground and background colours that may contrast or match strikes a chord with my own visual instincts. Her pictures are vivid colouful and express a love for beauty in all things. Satara's video shows a bit of Karuka's mastery of Auslan as well. All of a sudden I realize that it's not enough to have great conversations with Karuka's family members. I am motivated to begin learning Auslan too so that I can start having great conversations with Karuka as well. God bless Karuka.
A truly inspiring and beautiful story showing ones discovery of true limitless passion and ability to make a difference through trust in God. Wishing all the best to Karuka and her family.
Amazing production Satara - the narrative is so real and powerful. The film reveals so many truths. Karuka is so talented and able Her pictures bring out the beauty of God's nature. Congratulations to the parents who are very much a part of Karuka's journey of success. Thank you Satara for this heartwarming production You will go very far Karuka for you are greatly talented
Amazing
An excellent film. Great work Satara. More importantly Karuka who has found a niche to express her thoughts. A remarkable achievement. God bless Karuka and all those who are cheering her on to greater heights.
Karuka is a wonderful and an amazing young person with a unique view of the world . Beautiful story of love and acceptance without limitation . Really a remarkable story that needs to be shared .
Such a motivational and inspiring video. Amazing photography Karuka can see your passion for nature. May the good lord bless and protect you always.
A beautifully directed story Satara. All the very best Karuka in your photography and the years ahead may God work powerfully through you and your work.
A beautiful testament to Karuka the joy she gets out of photography and her devoted circle of love and support.
The film on Karuka is really an inspiring and motivational one. Most importantly I appreciate parents who identified Karuka's talents and helped her to pursue her skulls in photographydance... this film certainly inspire others parents to explore talents of their kids and support them to fulfill their drems
Amazing
Beautifully said. I know Karuka all her life and seen her grow in to a confident teenager. Wish you the best
I know Karuka for over 10 years. Karuka is smart intelligent girl. She is a loving caring girl. I am sure she will touch all around her by her inner qualities.This film vouch that. Best wishes for her endeavors. God Bless.
Great Documentary. Love the narration and the photographs.
Congratulations. Beautiful. God bless you.
Well done Karuka beautiful photos of nature you are really a heavenly piece of art by God . May God bless you and guide you . Keep on capturing the creations .
Best wishes Karuka
God has uniquely wonderfully and fearfully created Karuka. Congratulations to the parents for providing her the resources to bring out her innate talents.
Satara has done an amazing job covering her beautiful sisters life. All the best. Karukas photos are simply amazing.
Very proud of my beautiful and talented nieces Satara and Karuka. May God bless you both. Well Done
The photos are stunning Well done Karuka
All the very best Karuka.
A great film beautifully celebrating Karuka's talents. Well done Satara.
Satara beautiful pics. Keep up the great work. All the very best for the future endeavours. Sky is the limit-go get em tiger
Beautiful congratulations
Thank you for this moving film. Kapruka comes across as beautiful smart and talented. Its wonderful to see the world and its possibilities through her eyes as she reaches for the sky.