Celebrities and blind artists join together in National Braille Week Exhibition Launch
Date: 21/12/2010
In December celebrations began ahead of National Braille Week 2011 as Royal Blind launched a unique exhibition featuring artwork by blind artists and Braille messages from a host of UK celebrities.
The exhibition features autographed celebrity portrait images as well as messages in Braille from UK household names including Stephen Fry, Susan Boyle, Dougray Scott and Michael Ball amongst many others. Other highlights include sculptures, interpretations, photography and paintings by blind and visually impaired artists. The exhibition is being hosted by Royal Bank of Scotland in their ornate main banking hall on St Andrew Square in Edinburgh and can be viewed until Tuesday 4th January.
Local blind artist Rosita McKenzie commented: "I am delighted to have been invited to contribute my artwork to this exciting national exhibition in aid of National Braille Week 2011. One of the aims of the display is to challenge sighted people to view art from a new perspective and also for visually disabled people to interact with the exhibition. We want to highlight the vital importance of Braille which is as essential now as it has ever been - it is a truly universal method of communication. Braille enables inclusion and opportunity and allows us to dispel the myth that the visually impaired cannot access art, literature and information."
Royal Blind Chief Executive Richard Hellewell commented: "The artists use raised impressions so that people can feel an image and allow them to understand what the photograph depicts without actually seeing it. We feel this is an apt and powerful way to prompt the public to imagine life without sight and consequently to remind the wider public that blindness is not a barrier to potential, creativity and knowledge. Ultimately we want to draw attention to Braille as a communication system which has been instrumental in opening up opportunities and empowering those who are blind or visually impaired, enabling independence and in turn creating a fairer and more inclusive society.
I also want to give a special note of thanks to all of the celebrities and artists who have helped make this inspiring exhibition happen and of course Royal Bank of Scotland for allowing us to hold the exhibition in their beautiful domed banking hall."
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop commented: "The great thing about art is that is can be enjoyed by everyone and can really improve people's lives and wellbeing. This exhibition showcases the work of talented blind or visually impaired artists in a Scottish context, raises awareness of Braille across the country and makes artwork truly accessible to all."
Donations to Royal Blind can be made via the National Braille Week website at www.nationalbrailleweek.org or by calling 0300 321 0000.