DISABILITY ARTS in Shropshire

Artists Development Team (3)

The photgraph shows fine artist, Rob Gemmell, standing next to one of his artowrks, Flowerwoman, at the Qube gallery. Photograph by Paula Dower copyright DASh

TONES - Sights and Sounds. Artists Development Team (3) Exhibition at the Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry. 14 January - 26 January 2008 Opening Times Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm, closed Sunday.

Sights and Sounds invites you to accompany three disabled artists as they reinvent themselves through mentoring support and training.

Our third Artists Development Team exhibition brings together two visual artists and a performing artist.

Rob Gemmell - Fine Artist. Rob Gemmell's art reflects his passion for the spiritual and lonely aspects of life, but not the melancholic. Through his art he expresses what cannot be written, only felt in sight or sound. "Step into my world and linger for a while."

Jean Green - Mixed-Media Artist. Jean's art is centred around 'Food for Thought': The ability of food to affect her health, combining art and creative writing through sketchbooks and artwork. "Contemplating food and my thoughts creatively."

Richard Zimbler - Performing Artist. Richard uses the rhythms and beats of West African drums. "Its's a good way to express simple beats that can be taken into the real world."

Maralyn Hepworth written a review of the private view:

It is always a treat to visit the Qube, which is such an inspiring place, but on this occasion I was met by the sound of African drumming – not the usual expectation in an Art Gallery. Richard Zimbler had been joined by friends Joseph Bentley from Gloucester and Martin Rhodes from Stoke on Trent and the three produced some exhilarating and exciting rhythms. Taking up the drums at Hereford College six years ago, his interest moved from what I describe as “Western” drums, being ignorant of the musical terms, into African drums where Richard enjoyed the more rounded sounds produced by using intricate hand movements. Richard, who has LMBBS, has produced a 10 track CD to raise funds for their annual conference. Already confident in public speaking, Richard felt that he could now talk in artistic terms about his work, and was more confident in a professional market place.

During lulls in the drumming, the quality of the other artwork was well worth exploring. Jean Green was very excited and nervous to be having her first exhibition at such a prestigious gallery, but she has a lovely feeling for colour, design and sensitivity, with a DASh of humour. Her inspiration comes from her garden and allotment, and I particularly enjoyed her whimsical vegetables. Much lighter in style and less worked than her garden pictures, they expressed a humour and lightness of touch. It was only when I read the title “loopy leeks” I realised that one indeed had grown into a loop! As a gardener myself, I recognise the excitement of finding a strange shaped vegetable so unlike those on supermarket shelves. Her other titles were also fun – Crunchy Carrots, Blushing leeks. I adored the sketch book – a plethora of ideas and quick sketches beautifully displayed. With the present media and public interest in local organic food, I am sure there is a market for her work.

Rob Gemmell’s work covered a range of subjects, each of which showed a perceptive talent worthy of many more exhibitions. From townscapes, , such as “Barrack’s Passage, “ in Shrewsbury, to a beautifully worked charcoal drawing “Flights of Fancy” a seascape and birds, he captures the essence of the scene. Rob started painting seriously four years ago after leaving work with health problems, and this has given a focus to his life, with the development programme encouraging him. One painting stood apart from the scenes. This was a foetus inside a rose – or was it? Look closer. Fingers? A hand? Here Rob’s imagination has taken hold, and together with his technical skills produced a thought provoking and inspiring painting.

DASh Artist Development Programme has again produced and interesting and varied exhibition, and listening to the artists, a wholly worthwhile project. I look wish all this year’s artists success in the future, and look forward to next year’s exhibition.

To purchase the Richard Zimbler CD phone: 07791 428302 £6 (plus £1 postage)