By Mencap
The work of five artists who have a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
or
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
are on display at a free exhibition called ‘Natural Expression – Our Creative Journey’.
Ike, Karen, Yusuf, Dora and Mel are all part of the Mencap
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
group, Islington Me Time. The group supports people with a learning disability to access social and
leisure
Leisure is when you have time to do things you enjoy like playing sports or going to the pub.
activities in the community and participants have met weekly over the past year to create the artwork for the exhibition.
Ike began to make art at an early age when a teacher encouraged his talent; his paintings are often inspired by London landmarks. Meanwhile, Karen is an illustrator and painter who has a strong interest in Chinese history, Japanese Manga and Anime.
Yusuf prefers to use bold brush strokes and a simple pallet to conjure striking portraits of film stars and public figures, and Dora who works on stained glass, loves natural elements such as trees, flowers, and dragonflies. Mel likes creating sculptures and working with different materials to create 3D art – he loves art as it allows him to express himself.
The exhibition is a celebration of artistic talent and
diversity
Diversity means people from all different cultures and backgrounds.
and runs from the 2 - 16 December. It has been facilitated by Mencap, and supported by Pears Foundation, in partnership with
the Government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council Tax is the money that people pay to the council. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (
NHS
The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals.
) should work.
via the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The Islington Me Time art sessions have enabled participants to develop artistic skills and be experimental with their creativity but are also a much-needed social activity and provide a safe environment for sharing personal interests and passions.
People with a learning disability often feel lonely and isolated– community groups such as Me Time are therefore essential for providing opportunities for wellbeing and social connection.
Jenny Jones, who works at Mencap and has helped to facilitate the exhibition said:
“We’re so excited to be opening up our exhibition at the Islington Arts Factory. The members of the group have worked incredibly hard on their creations over the past year, and being able to showcase their work at a gallery is such an achievement. The artwork on display shows that with the right support and tools, people with a learning disability can achieve and create anything they want to!”
Events:
Artist led tours: Fridays 9th and 16th December, 1:30-3:30pm
Location:
Islington Arts Factory, 2 Parkhurst Rd, London, N7 0SF
Islington Arts Factory is a converted church building, opposite the entrance to Holloway Prison and on the Parkhurst Road / Camden Road one-way system.
Tube: Holloway Road or Caledonian Road
Buses: 4, 17, 29, 43, 91, 153, 253, 259, 271, 279, 359
Exhibition opening Times:
Monday – Thursday 10am – 8pm
Fridays 10am-5pm
Saturday 12-5pm
Sunday closed
For general inquiries on the exhibition contact:
Jonathan Quarterman, Coordinator Jonathan.quarterman@mencap.org.uk, Tel: 02074540454