Shine

Some time ago we held an exhibition,

it was unusual in that staff and service users all contributed written work which was used to create the soundtrack for a short film.

(I'm working on getting it up here for you to see)

The exhibition was titled 'SHINE', the written and art works were all based on things that shone, not just physical things like stars and jewellery, but moments in our lives, people, relationships, the metaphysical things that put light in our lives.

The collaged lanterns in this photograph were used to illuminate the exhibition.

I wanted to share it with you because it is an important part of the history of we are artists and poets, people who attended the exhibition obviously had preconceptions about what they would see, what 'disabled peoples art' would be like... I will never forget the exhilaration, the sheer joy and pleasure of watching people be surprised, impressed or embarrassed that their preconceived ideas could be so far from what they were experiencing!

It was a wonderful moment where the value of art, of creativity was understood and acknowledged, where we were all artists, all poets and all equal.