1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2012 E17 Art Trail?
The work that I’ll be showing is quite unique because I
create each piece using my eyes with a Tobii
Eyegaze computer. I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease
(MND), 12 years ago, aged 34. I soon lost the use of my hands and I’m severely
disabled now. I’d always enjoyed drawing and painting but never imagined that I
would ever create anything again due to my disability. I’ve been using eyegaze technology since 2011
and recently started to create my work using an art software programme called
Revelation Natural Art. Painting with my eyes is very different to using my
hands and quite slow. However, I love it, and I’m very pleased that Tobii
technology has enabled me to express my creativity again.
2. Is this your first time in the Trail or are you an E17 Art Trail veteran?
My E17 Art Trail exhibition is my first and I’m very excited
about it! I was born and brought up in East London so I feel like I’m coming
home. It feels extremely poignant and right.
3. What are the challenges of getting everything ready for your Art Trail event?
I rely on my carers to help me with everything so preparing
for my exhibition is quite a challenge. I’m framing some of my work at the
moment and I’m pleased with the results so far. I’m a very organised person so
I’m working methodically and know that I’ll be ready by September 1st.
That doesn’t stop me from waking up in the middle of the night feeling panic
stricken though!
4. Do you remember the first artist that really influenced you? Does that artist’s influence still have an impact on your work?
I’ve been inspired by many artists during my life time. Some
of my favourites are Modigliani, Klimt, Picasso and Matisse. I’ve probably been
influenced by all of them. The strange thing is that my eyegaze work is very
similar to the work I produced with my hands, although the techniques are
completely different. I’ve only been eyegaze painting for five months now so
feel as if I’m still on a big learning curve.
5. The E17 Art trail has become bigger every year. Do you think it is because more artists are calling it home?
6. What has E17 bestowed on you?
I think that the E17 Art Trail is such a wonderful event and
more artists want to exhibit because of that. As I said earlier, I feel that
I’m coming home, so I’m sure that others feel the same.
6. What has E17 bestowed on you?
The E17 Art Trail is bestowing several opportunities upon me.
I think that an important aspect of my exhibition is that people will see that
despite adversity, it is possible to carry on and achieve what you want. Very
little is known about my illness and I’ve been actively raising awareness of
MND for several years. Hopefully, a few people will learn a little more through
my exhibition. I’ve been selling my work online via http://www.eyegazeartists.com/ I’m
donating all of the proceeds from my sales to help purchase Tobii eyegaze
technology for other people with MND because there is no government funding.
I’m hoping that my exhibition will enable me to bestow the gift of speech, communication
and independence upon people who desperately need it. The bestow theme is
particularly apt for me.
5 comments:
Amazing!
Sarah you are a total inspiration to us all! Your amazing art produced by your eyes raising awareness and Eyegaze knowledge leaves me in awe!! I absolutely love my Dads memorial Orange Lilly Wheaton painting you did for my Dads first memorial he would be very proud and honoured that you created a gorgeous painting in his memory! More so from such an optimistic lady who also has Motor Neurone Disease - Thank you Sarah for producing such a gorgeous painting Im sure everyone will love your amazing work at the E17 Exhibition and hope lots of people buy The Wheaton Lilly to help MND & Eyegaze - Kerrie Wheaton xXx
Sarah, for several years I've regarded you as the most inspiring person I've met on Twitter. This most recent accomplishment illustrates further how amazing and resilient you are, and yes—I admire you SO MUCH.
Congratulations for this new accomplishment, which by the way, most people never achieve.
Warm regards and ((HUGS)), Terri
Thank you all. I just want to help other people because I had to wait over one year for eyegaze technology. Art has given me a way to do that and I'm so pleased.
I am totally amazed that someone can have such control over their eyes. My eyes go everywhere when I paint. I could never keep all the marks and colour washes so controlled if I had only my eyes to paint with. The seaside scene is really evocative of childhood holidays and perfectly painted.
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