Art

Fab five
Janice Hughes
Born in Belfast in 1994. Graduated in
2017 at Glasgow School of Art.
Janice works in a variety of mediums,
including painting, collage and film.

Many people with autism

She is inspired in part by her
understanding of nature. Her films

are blessed with talent, incorporate animation, often with

single-frame footage taken from family videos,

and that includes those ‘collaged’ with seed heads, leaves and dried flowers.
Janice says: “For me, making art highlights
with a great flair for art. strengths of being autistic such as focus, attention to
detail and passion. Building your own world offers relief
Ahead of their public from a world that’s not catered to autistic people. It can
also be an alternative way of communicating.”
exhibition in London this
spring, Autism Eye
presents five award-
winning artists with
autism and their
artworks. As well as
Elise Broadway
joining together for the Born in Dallas, sophisticated and ungainly, with

exhibition, each of the USA, in 1993.

Graduated in 2019
the apparently mundane
transformed into something

artists shares top from the Royal

College of Art,
memorable.
Elise says: “I believe that certain
honours in the latest London.
Elise creates free-
characteristics of ASD have gifted
me the ability to communicate
Spectrum Art Prize standing and wall-mounted
sculptural works using stuffed and
complex ideas without having to
verbalize; I can focus on building
drawn or painted fabrics, often intimate worlds within my work and
The Spectrum Art Prize is no ordinary competition using stock images of people and my art practice allows me to
for artists on the autistic spectrum. There’s no overall animals found on the internet. The organize visual/physical narratives Joseph Coyle
winner, for a start: all five finalists share joint honours. result is a startling mixture of the within a controlled space.” Born in the way that I do, and my practice
Each of them receives a cash award of £5,000 and a Shrewsbury, has been invaluable in providing
bespoke package of support and mentoring to help Shropshire, in me with both a fluent mode of
them realise their ambitions as artists. The finalists are 1992. Postgraduate communication and an escape
Elise Broadway, Harry Moorcroft, Janice Hughes, MA in Fine Art, from the anxiety of my daily life.”
Joseph Coyle and Sharif Persaud. Aberystwyth
The group also has the opportunity to show their University.
work publicly in a dedicated exhibition. Their show will Joseph creates detailed, small-
take place at the Frith Street Gallery in London from 26 scale paintings inspired by nature
May to 2 June. After that, there are plans to tour the and British folklore, most notably
exhibition this summer, so keep an eye out for venues demonstrated in his series based
and dates when they are announced. on the story of Cock Robin. His
work explores mythmaking and
Separate London exhibition storytelling, with a relationship for
Sharif Persaud has his own exhibition, titled Have You detail that has expanded into
Ever Had, running at the Autograph Gallery in London performance.
until 23 May. Joseph says: “I have come to
The Spectrum Art Prize, established in 2017, is open appreciate that my dedication and
to all UK adults on the autistic spectrum aged 18 and passion for expressing myself
above and for work in any medium. through art is intimately tied to my
Lead judge and curator was art critic and autistic perspective. Without the
professional curator Sacha Craddock, and other obsessive attention to detail that
judges included artists Paul Noble and Dawnne comes from my condition I know
McGeachy, who was herself a finalist in 2018. that I would not be able to work in

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 Art
Here at Witherslack Group
we’re committed to sharing
expert advice and support.
As well as a full calendar of free expert-led support
events for parents, carers and professionals, we are
holding regional conferences across the country
and we would be delighted if you could join us.

Regional Parent & Carer Conferences

- Supporting you and your child:
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Yorkshire Conference in Leeds
- Wednesday 13th May
South East Conference in Windsor
- Wednesday 17th June
North West Conference in Ormskirk,
Lancashire - Saturday 20th June
North East Conference in Sunderland
- Wednesday 1st July
Midlands Conference in Coventry
- Wednesday 8th July

Sharif Persaud
Subsidised tickets for parents and carers range from £10-£15. Limited availability. Born in Hastings, navigating the world, including Project Art Works says on behalf
East Sussex in his frequent use of a cardboard of Sharif: “Sharif has unique ways
If you wish to speak with someone directly, you can contact our events 1994. Currently Al Murray mask in public and a of communication that do not
team on 0844 880 6520 or email events@witherslackgroup.co.uk attends Project Art very developed interest in necessarily follow socially
Works, an artist- bodily functions. acceptable norms.
led project space His work is by turns funny, “He is curious about the world

Save the date!

in Hastings. arresting and fresh and a and affable with others. Placing
Sharif makes films, drawings, demonstration of how art can himself at the centre of his work,
paintings and mono-prints that unlock communication and provide Sharif explores identity through his

National Parents & Carers SEN & Mental Health Conference explore his unique way of a voice. experience of life and autism.”

Saturday 7th November 2020, ACC Convention Centre, Liverpool Harry Moorcroft
Born in Taunton, Harry says: “I struggle immensely
After a hugely successful first year, the annual conference is back, offering insightful Somerset in 1999. with reading and writing, and since
and impactful SEN specific presentations and practical advice by a field of expert Studies film and we live in a world dependent on
media at these skills, I try to pick up on visual
speakers from across the world. Bridgwater & assets to make sense of the world.”
Taunton College.

Early bird tickets at a highly subsidised cost of £10 per person Harry makes films
and animations that demonstrate a
sophisticated eye for
characterisation, coupled with
To find out more information on the deadpan humour. Frequently self-
narrated, his subject matter is often
national conference and to register drawn from personal experience,
for early bird tickets please email including bringing vividly to life the
difficulties he experienced as an
events@witherslackgroup.co.uk autistic child coping with school.
LINKS
l Frith Street Gallery:
https://www.frithstreetgallery.com
l Spectrum Art Award:
www.thespectrumartaward.com
l Sharif Persaud’s exhibition at the
Autograph Gallery:
https://autograph.org.uk/
exhibitions/have-you-ever-had

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