A BERKSHIRE sight loss charity displayed a series of artworks created by artists with visual impairments on Wednesday, July 6.
Berkshire Vision, which supports people with full or partial sight loss in Reading, held an exhibition event at Reading School for Boys showing off the pieces.
The event was the culmination of a series of workshops held by local artist Emma Major, whose work was also featured.
A wide array of mediums and styles were shown, with many of the artists present to speak about their work, their process, and the contribution to their lives that art has had as people with sight loss.
Ms Major said at the event: “I feel like I’m really lucky that I got to run these workshops, meeting incredible people who said they couldn’t paint.
“I say you can, and we’re going to.”
She said also that she enjoyed being able to bring something which helps her to others, too.
“It’s not just valuable, it’s essential– I can’t imagine life without it.”
Among those displaying their artwork has 10-year-old Zannah.
She presented artwork focused on the climate crisis, with a piece focusing on the levels of pollution.
It featured an inflatable globe with assorted polluting attached, such as cotton buds, bottle lids, and ring pulls, as well as important messages about recycling, complete with braille.
She also provided a short written description of the piece, which read: “It’s the Earth, as I see it– Our Earth is broken due to global warming and pollution, and we need to save it or we won’t have an earth to live on.”
Speaking at the event, Clare Matthews, marketing officer at Berkshire Vision, said: “It has all really come together– it looks wonderful, and everyone’s enjoying it.
“It’s a fantastic exhibition, and it goes to show that anything’s possible, anyone can be an artist, and anything is possible.”
Ms Matthews spoke about how artists of more traditional mediums can use technology to adapt their creative processes when accommodating sight loss.
“We’re showing some work by Elena, some of their digital art– she used to be a canvas and oil artist, but lost her sight couldn’t do it anymore.
“Emma showed her how to do digital art, which springboarded her.
“We’re showing only a limited section of what she’s created even in just the last month or so.”
Deputy mayor of Reading, Cllr Debs Edwards, said the exhibition was “Absolutely wonderful.
“The culture behind Berkshire Vision covers so much, not only with the art, the well being of the artists,
“And,” she joked, “what you can do with I.T.”
“But not only that it’s helping their health and well-being, it’s also helping people to have a bit of a laugh, and it’s joining people together.
“It’s something I haven’t seen before, and I was absolutely wowed.”
Emma Major gave an address to attendees, thanking them for their kind engagement with the project.
She said “We’re very visual as a species, and I think that’s got more so as we become more quote unquote civilised,
“When you can’t see, you start relying on your other senses, so when I’m painting, I am hearing those things, I feel the sensation of smell.
“And I want everyone else to feel that joy because when you’re having a bad day or it’s really rough, you can just lose yourself and a piece of art.
“I mean, why would you not?”
