One of the key differences between learning disabled and non–learning disabled artists of distinction is that artists with learning disability tend not to have an idea of themselves as ‘artists’ but rather take a pure and wonderfully humble enjoyment of their creativity.
We want to enable them to explore more intensely and seriously their potential as artists; to dedicate their time to a pilot project that will seek to encourage and promote their independence as artists. We have created an artist studio setting where five students, with the support of their family and key people in their lives, can further their learning and take more control over their own trajectory as professional artists. We have created studio conditions that will promote further and deeper understanding of:
• the preparation of materials and use of media such as stretching canvases and the use of oil paints instead of acrylics
• their own visual language and how to develop this
• preparation and installation of exhibitions
• input into their own on-line gallery
• the recording, cataloguing and archiving of their work
• talking/communicating to others about their work