12 replies to this topic

[Art & Paralysis]

Please take a couple of minutes to read what I am doing to help others understand what life is like at the other side of a Spinal Cord Injury


"In a split second...

Independence Day 1998 a dive from a boat into shallow water broke my neck in three places rendering me immediately paralysed from the neck down. In a split second… my life changed forever. Following the injury I became overwhelmingly frustrated at not being able to express verbally the immense contrast of sensation as a result of spinal cord damage.

My work reflects the feelings and sensations of paralysis as I experience it, communicating physical trauma and diverse life experiences while exposing the intimacy of everyday life with a Spinal Cord Injury. It celebrates diversity, turning a handicap into ability to reflect positively a life changing experience while addressing various social attitudes and preconceptions of physical impairment.

The exhibition takes the form of a fabric installation, a transitional space with spiritual undertones guiding the viewer through a chronological journey, beginning with the transition from life able bodied through the initial feelings and sensations of trauma into the present.

The work incorporates a range of disciplines, such as oil on canvas, sculpture, and resin cast amongst others. Inspired by the renown Mexican artist Frida Kahlo who herself was paralysed in the 1920’s my artwork has been referred to as “powerful, thought provoking and inspirational”. Please http://www.art-and-p...com/Artwork.htm


The aim of the exhibition is to create a greater awareness of paralysis using my own experience. Having the work exposed to a wider audience to educate, inform and fulfil inquisitiveness while harmonising with those who share a similar experience.



The exhibition runs 13-23rd May @ Round Foundry Media Centre in Leeds open 9-5 weekdays. Saturday 10-4.30 Closed Sunday

Contact:

Harry (C5/6 complete)

Steven Harrison BA (Hons.)
1c Snapethorpe Gate
Lupset
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF2 8YA
United Kingdom

call: +44 (0)1924 384356
mobile: + 44 (0)7748 036050
email: headscrewedon@aol.com
website: www.art-and-paralysis.com

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Edited by Art & Paralysis, 05 May 2008 - 03:32 PM.

[cate]

congrats on your achievements. very interesting story. I have a daughter who is c5-c6, but is lucky that she is able to walk with crutches. Your site looks good, but I did have probs in trying to call up your art work and other details, I ,will try it again later, maybe it is my network playing up. Good luck for the future and hope your exhibit show goes well.
Cate.

[milosh]

great! i'm also an artist, living in the UK, quad and had my injury the same date as you. cool to meet likeminded.

[ems]

I know a quad guy that paints, and has done since he was injured too.. heres some of his work...

http://www.against-t...cture-index.php

[nomis]

I'm excited by your work, Art & Paralysis. Some rather disturbing images revealing truths where words fail. Some powerful expression here that has me wondering if I'm feeling some envy, that my own frustrations need your freedoms.

Also, respect for your courage to attack and explore your world and to use your skills to reveal that with such honesty. It's no easy thing to stare many of those emotions squarely in the eye. But it is exciting. This is going to be a fantastic journey...and potentially a remarkable body of work.

As i said, you've got me excited.

Edited by nomis, 04 May 2008 - 02:00 AM.

[Art & Paralysis]

milosh, on May 2 2008, 09:53 PM, said:

great! i'm also an artist, living in the UK, quad and had my injury the same date as you. cool to meet likeminded.

Fantastic. I'd really like to see other SCI artists work and hear their opinion of mine - as in 'can you relate to it'.

Take it easy

Harry

[Art & Paralysis]

cate, on May 2 2008, 03:43 PM, said:

congrats on your achievements. very interesting story. I have a daughter who is c5-c6, but is lucky that she is able to walk with crutches. Your site looks good, but I did have probs in trying to call up your art work and other details, I ,will try it again later, maybe it is my network playing up. Good luck for the future and hope your exhibit show goes well.
Cate.

Hi Cate
I hope my artwork offers greater insight to your daughters initial experience of paralysis... not everyone can externalise their feelings (when they want to) - but it helps the psychological healing.

Sorry about the website... its my fault, I'm not very computer literate and I built the webite in Frontpage - basically, it can only be viewed in Explorer!

'Can anyone help with this, suggest an idiot proof web builder without tempplates' [b]

Take care

Harry

[Art & Paralysis]

ems, on May 3 2008, 05:48 PM, said:

I know a quad guy that paints, and has done since he was injured too.. heres some of his work...

http://www.against-t...cture-index.php

Thanks for the link. Fantastic work, very provocative, I'd be interested in seeing him paint himself in that style! No, I'm not gay or owt... I'm studying Art Psychotherapy and I find it interesting that most people who've experienced trauma focus their artwork on everything apart from themselves!

Still, wwicked work. is it wet on wet watercolour or ink?

Is he a hand or mouth painter?

If he paints by hand, which one?

I had to become left handed using a tinadisis grip (forearm muscle contraction) - this means I'm now drawing on the right side of the brain... the creative side!

Cheers

Harry

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[Art & Paralysis]

nomis, on May 4 2008, 02:56 AM, said:

I'm excited by your work, Art & Paralysis. Some rather disturbing images revealing truths where words fail. Some powerful expression here that has me wondering if I'm feeling some envy, that my own frustrations need your freedoms.

Also, respect for your courage to attack and explore your world and to use your skills to reveal that with such honesty. It's no easy thing to stare many of those emotions squarely in the eye. But it is exciting. This is going to be a fantastic journey...and potentially a remarkable body of work.

As i said, you've got me excited.

Thanks for the message Nomis and the comments on my website.

'Disturbing images'... is there any other way of portraying severe physical trauma! I don't want to shock people but the image has to relate to the situation... I feel I my must be brutally honest to maintain integrity. As you've seen my work has progressed towards addressing social preconceptions towards physical impairment and not just paralysis, its time to leave the trauma behind and deal with the present in a way that reflects others experiences.

It would be great if you could visit the exhibhition

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[Art & Paralysis]

milosh, on May 2 2008, 09:53 PM, said:

great! i'm also an artist, living in the UK, quad and had my injury the same date as you. cool to meet likeminded.

WOW.. you to had your injury on the 4th July - the irony eh!

Are you a hand or mouth painter?

Take it easy fella

Harry

milosh, on May 2 2008, 09:53 PM, said:

great! i'm also an artist, living in the UK, quad and had my injury the same date as you. cool to meet likeminded.

WOW.. you to had your injury on the 4th July - the irony eh!

Are you a hand or mouth painter?

Take it easy fella

Harry

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[ems]

He pains with his hands, and I'm pretty sure he only uses water colour.

[Emily C]

I must tell u how impressed I am with your work!! It's so raw, and true to life!!
I used to be a pro.singer b4 I got sick, and I miss that creative outlet (my other conditions prohibit me from singing, unfortunaley). I LOVE that you're using your talents in this way!
My best to you!!

[Art & Paralysis]

Emily C, on May 7 2008, 12:48 AM, said:

I must tell u how impressed I am with your work!! It's so raw, and true to life!!
I used to be a pro.singer b4 I got sick, and I miss that creative outlet (my other conditions prohibit me from singing, unfortunaley). I LOVE that you're using your talents in this way!
My best to you!!

Hi Emily
Sorry for the late reply, I've been so busy with the exhibition.

Thank you for your kind words. It would be great if you were able to make it to the exhibition and see it in the flesh!

Take care

Edited by Art & Paralysis, 13 May 2008 - 06:46 PM.