[Art_beyond_sight_learning_tools] art exhibitions and 2 artists

[Lisa Yayla]

Hi,
Information about two exhibitions and two blog entries. In these entries 
artist are mentioned and work shown but is not an entry just about them.
Otherwise - the exhibition Passionate Focus in Chicago,  and Shooting 
Blind  exhibition in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Best,
Lisa
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=community&id=4698578

http://www.seeingwithphotography.com/swpc_upcoming_events.html

October 29, 2006 - Artists use their "visions" to create their work. 
This includes those with vision loss.

For the past five years, the Guild for the Blind's 'Passionate Focus' 
has been showcasing the work of talented artists who are legally blind. 
By using their artistic skills, they provide an insight of their "vision."

Looking at the art on display you will never know they were created by 
blind artists. They represent the best of the best. This year, 161 
pieces were submitted by 49 artists. Forty-seven were selected by a team 
of judges.
 

Chicago area artist David Simpson's 'Breaking Down Before the Climb' is 
one of them.

"When I started 'Breaking Down' that's when I start to see my way out 
and this is kind of what this painting is representing," said Simpson.

David has been blind since 1999.

"I got magligoriate degeneration and retinal scaring," said Simpson.

Bruce Hall is a photographer from Oregon. He has been blind since birth. 
Three of his photographers were selected. As a child, Bruce used 
photography as a tool to see the world.

"Often times a subject will be a blur and kind of a blurry impression 
but later on I have a large computer monitor and make large blow ups and 
it's my way to see things that I wouldn't normally," said Hall.

Executive director David Tabak says artists who are blind want to be 
judged by their talent not their disability.

"It may be a little more difficult, it may be a little bit different but 
that's art," said David.

"Cable Network" is a photograph by Rosemarie Fortney.

"It was a photo taken and digitally morphed and made into a mirror image 
and then the gradation of light to dark made the final changes to it," 
said Fortney.

Rosemarie has tunnel vision.

"I was diagnosed about 23 years ago and I would say over the last six 
years it's really gotten to the point where it's becoming life 
endangerment to me," said Fortney.

'Passionate Focus' is not just about art, it's about what people with 
vision loss can accomplish.

'Passionate Focus 2006' is on display at the Fourth Presbyterian Church. 
It is located at Michigan and Chestnut in Chicago until November 15.

A majority of the art work are for sale. A percentage of the sales go to 
Guild for the Blind.

For more information call 312/236-8569 or email info at guildfortheblind.org.




excerpt Shooting Blind , exhibition

Nov. 19, 2006           Hunter Museum of American Art

Jan. 14, 2007            Chattanooga, Tennessee
                               

link artwork
http://mutleycrew.typepad.com/why_rush/2006/10/finnegans_portr.html

http://2ndisability.blogspot.com/2006/10/images-by-blind-painter-written-ingame.html