Christmas Exhibition Tribute
09 December 2009
The Turning Point Scotland office in Newton Stewart will be transformed into an art gallery for four days for AccessArt's annual Christmas exhibition - dedicated this year to Gary Davidson.
Cllr Sandra McDowall will open the exhibition on Saturday, 12 December at 2pm. Members of the public are invited to join the artists, their families and friends to celebrate their achievements.
AccessArt is a service provided by TPS, offering opportunities for people to make art who might not ordinarily have the chance to do so. People with a wide range of learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and mental health conditions, as well as those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse have accessed the service.
People attend group or individual sessions, working with an artist who provides guidance, encouragement and materials to help develop each person's skills and interests. The range and quality of work on display is a tribute to the efforts and abilities of the 14 participating artists.
This year's Christmas exhibition is dedicated to Gary Davidson, a former businessman who had been severely disabled by a series of strokes and was supported by The Richmond Fellowship. Earlier this year, Gary began working with artist Hope London, TPS's Art Coordinator for the Newton Stewart area. They began by experimenting with digital photography within the confines of his flat and Gary made some striking images. Said Hope, "Gary photographed his goldfish, a dish of bananas, and even pictures on the television screen. ‘Top Gear' was a favourite as he loved cars and driving."
Then Gary began to draw, using a thick graphite stick. Though it was physically difficult, he persevered until he had completed a watercolour based on his interpretation of a photograph of birch trees in a forest. He finished it just ten days before he passed away. Hope and the support workers who saw Gary working on the painting week after week all agree that his strong will and determination were an inspiration to everyone.
"No two people are the same, so it's important for them to develop a style and approach based on their own interests," said Hope, noting the diversity of the work included in the exhibition. "For example, one artist demonstrates the kind of confident, strong line quality and clarity you might see in a Picasso drawing, while another produces stunning abstract images using carefully built-up line and colour in a range of media. And in a very contemporary approach, one young woman has made a series of issue-based drawings on themes derived from popular magazines."
Stephen Scott of the Richmond Fellowship said; "All of us at The Richmond Fellowship Scotland were aware that Gary had an interest in art and enjoyed visiting various exhibitions. Gary was keen to start the Access Art sessions and it was obvious that he very much enjoyed working on the piece included in this exhibition."
The exhibition will be open on Saturday, 12 December from 2 to 5 pm, and on Monday, 14 and Tuesday, 15 December from 11 to 5 pm.
'Touchan' - by Andy Hannah 'Big Circles' - by Mark Conlan
'Colours' - by Emma Brown 'Love and Marriage' - by Jenny Reed
Ends
Notes to Editors
- For more information and photographs please contact Dave Bleasdale or Hope London on 01671 404037 or ojaydart@aol.com.
- TPS provides person centred support to adults with a range of complex needs across Scotland. In 2007/08, we provided support to over 11,000 service users throughout Scotland.
- TPS provides services in the following areas: Criminal justice, mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse, autism, homelessness and early onset dementia, acquired brain injury and Huntington's. For more information visit http://www.turningpointscotland.com/
