Expressions on Canvas, May 2016
This was the start of rolling out the health benefits of ‘musicpainting’ to the community. I visited friends, family and anyone in Rogerstone who told me that they had never painted, that they were no good at art and drank tea, wine and beer, listened to music and painted. I intended to create an exhibition at Chapelwood doctor’s surgery with the small 20cm2 canvas outcomes. However, despite the evidence presented to parliament about the importance of creativity and health, I was unable to persuade the team to let me display the work. I have not given up on this idea. It would be wonderful for the local community to see the work of friends, family and neighbours as they await appointments. In addition to the exhibition, I intend to offer a local workshop, which would allow the exhibition to constantly change and many more persons to enjoy 'musicpainting'.
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Pause the music before watching the video
Jacobs Gallery in Cardiff May 2017.
It was truly inspiring to witness individuals from my group visit the exhibition to see their paintngs exhibited for the first time. In the heart of the capital city of Wales they stood with pride. Comments made in the workshop, were transferred onto canvas and displayed prominently on the gallery walls above their works. The joy of 'musicpainting' suddenly became more powerful than ever.
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Music link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDDfWDvVROI
Access for all at the MA Open Event October 2017
The open event for musicpainting was a great success. The SIDs groups really enjoyed
connecting with the paintings they had first experienced in my workshops and now
in a gallery setting.
They were very pleased to be included in such an event and it is shockingly rare that invites
of this kind are issued to them. The CD players that I wall mounted allowed the blind visitors
easy access to the audio description. Sighted and visually impaired visitors accessed audio
and music via QR codes that linked directly to the paintings on my website.
Music link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B1tVfm832w
Exhibitions at Chepstow Community Hospital 2017
Paintings were suspended on wire in the four glass corridors at the hospital. The exhibition was for one week only but, so positive was the response that, I was asked if it could be permanent. Paintings are for sale, people donate what they feel a painting is worth. This means that the exhibition is constantly changing and that monies raised help with the costs of running the workshop. It also makes a clear statement to participants that their work is important and the focus is firmly on what they can do!
Also displayed on this page are the Living Art Wall images from the St Pierre Ward. Again, celebrating what can be achieved is at the heart of this exhibition. As serviceusers move on, they can take with them examples of their achievements, which creates an ever changing "living" display.
Music link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAD_V6SgkUE
Nevill Hall Hospital, January 2018
The process and outcome of my work is all about making a person feel. Hopefully the feeling can be described as positive, happy, better or well, so for me a hospital corridor and waiting room is an ideal place to exhibit.
When hanging the work, two women sat anxiously waiting for transport home. The first painting went up and the women were immediately distracted. In a concerned whisper, the first woman stated that the work was too colourful and too big. The second agreed saying, where on earth would you put such paintings at home and what about the furniture and carpets, they would never match. I smiled to myself. The work had animated conversation from these two and proved to me that the exhibition would be a success. It would take hospital visitors minds away from the boredom of waiting, the fears of their medical appointments and the stress of visiting loved ones. The magic of 'musicpainting' was in play.
