Worthing charity showcases artwork created by people experiencing sight loss

The World As We See It at Colonnade House from May 11 to 17 was made possible by a grant to sight support charity SSW from Worthing CIL Neighbourhood Fund.

Jackie Brownlee, head of fundraising and benefits, said it had been a long time in the making and the artwork had been very well received.

A celebration night was held on May 14 and for some of the artists, it was the first time they had seen their artwork framed and on display.

The exhibition showcased work by Sight Support Worthing Art Group and Inclusive Arts’ Mixed Media Class.

Jackie said: “People who are losing their sight have to learn to see and navigate the world in a different way, both in their everyday lives and when trying something new.

“For some, picking up a pencil or paintbrush for the first time since school can be quite daunting. Many of our art group have discovered new talents and skills in a diverse range of art and craft with a realisation that anything is possible.”

The art group was established after an experiment during lockdown. Five SSW members, led by Fiona McVey, muddled through the technical problems of Zoom and setting up art studios at their kitchen tables.

After a year online, the group moved into the SSW headquarters, in Rowlands Road, and it has since expanded slowly to the current class of 14 people with differing sight impairments.

Fiona and Jude Bitton started Inclusive Arts at Heene Gallery in 2010, with a mission statement of ‘Arts for All’. They work with many local artists and in partnership with organisations such as SSW.

The mixed media class is open to anyone who enjoys experimenting without pressure, providing a positive environment where people can build their confidence and self-esteem.

Simulation spectacles were provided for visitors to Colonnade House, allowing them to experience the different types of sight loss affecting the artists.

Jo Cryan Graham can see only through a small crescent-shaped slit in her left eye. At art class, she gets so close to her work, she often ends up with paint on her face.

She has worked in the film industry and as an illustrator for Puffin Books. She has always been partially sighted, choosing to design illustrations containing fine detail.

Jo studied fine art at The Ruskin School and her first paid work was making illustrations from copper-plated etchings. She was inspired by Paul Cézanne’s The Card Players for one of her paintings in the exhibition.

Worthing-born Jan Holland joined the art class only recently and is enjoying the challenge of silk painting and mosaics. She said she finds it a good stress relief.

She attended the RNIB Hethersett College for the blind in Reigate to prepare for the world of work and started as an engineer making parts for Australian rockets, using lathes and capstan drills.

After she married, Jan moved to Guildford and worked for Cornhill Insurance as a pastry chef. Now she has moved back to Worthing, she enjoys walking with her guide dog, Indie.

Eileen Hogan lived in Kenya and Malaysia for many years, where she was a dressmaker and enjoyed all sorts of crafts. She took up art when her eyesight problems began, creating landscapes from fabrics before venturing into acrylic painting.

The weekly art classes are something Eileen looks forward to and she continues to work on her landscapes, mainly painting on boards.

She said: “It has shown me a bit of talent I didn’t know I had.”

Bernie Wright has a degree in silversmithing and a postgraduate certificate in art education. She has taught craft, technical drawing and graphics, art and ceramics.

Now retired, Bernie says the art classes allow her to focus on one thing. “It’s something just for me,” she explained.