Out of Sight Not Out of Mind
‘Out of Sight Not Out of Mind’ was devised in April 2020 when the first national lockdown was announced, and the MESS ROOM was unable to host its usual weekly sessions.
The project was designed to support Blind and visually impaired artists and artists from the Peer Arts group to create artwork at home, and to reduce the impact of social isolation during the national lockdowns due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The MESS ROOM delivered art materials, aimed to connect and offer guidance and support to get creative at home and instil the confidence and sense of community that was previously gained at the studio during the established weekly art groups.
The artists were brought together through their individual lockdown-inspired works of art in a shared public exhibition, which was held at the Rochester Art Gallery from October 2020 to the second nationwide lockdown, 5 November. The exhibition also celebrated 100 Years of the Kent Association for the Blind, 1920 - 2020, and included more than 80 pieces of art work by 46 artists and visitors were welcomed by a gathering of ‘Mini Me’ sculptures as well as paintings, photographs, sculptures, textiles and wood turned pieces.
“We are delighted that the ‘The Test Bed Fund’ has been able to support this innovative project, the stimulating activities and connectivity offered by the scheme very much support out ethos of strengthening community cohesion through befriending services and met a very real need in Medway.” Dalia Halpern-Matthews, Befriending Programme Manager from Medway Voluntary Action
It was important to increase awareness of people with sight problems and what they can achieve. There are a lot of talented artists in the group. Being able to be together with other people with visual impairments is lovely as there is a level of understanding and respect there.” Participating Artist
“It’s so important to have something positive to do with your time and to have an objective, an aim to focus on - it made me feel productive and that I was doing something meaningful.” Participating Artist
Watch the films
‘Out of Sight Not Out of Mind’ has been one of the most positive and uplifting projects available to KAB Service Users during the Covid-19 pandemic. With many of our sight impaired clients experiencing isolation and missing their normal activities, being able to continue the art they value so much has been a beacon of hope and joy during a dark and difficult time. The accessible project has helped keep our Service Users connected and enabled them to enjoy, achieve and contribute to a fantastic exhibition of work. The project has also given us new insight to how activities can be delivered in different ways, even post Covid, removing geographic, travel and other barriers that might previously have prevented Service Users from attending physical groups. KAB looks forward to seeing the legacy of this amazing project continue to grow.” Katherine Barr – Head of Client Services, Kent Association for the Blind
Work Selected for Turner Contemporary Open 2021
We are delighted to share the fantastic news that one of the artworks created for ‘Out of Sight Not Out of Mind’ has been accepted for display at the Turner Contemporary Open 2021, Margate, and will be on show from 22 October 2021 - 20 February 2022. The textile artwork by Tracey ‘100 Quotes for 100 Years 1920 - 2020' celebrates 100 years of the Kent Association for the Blind, it measures 100 cms x 200 cms.
"As an art group we talked about creating artworks to celebrate Kent Association for the Blind’s 100th Anniversary, I thought about words and phrases relating to eyesight. It felt like a good idea to appliqué a quote or image for each year of the charities existence. I have Retinal Pigmentosa, the close work and tiny stitching was a strain on my eyes, and I made this at home during the first lockdown. I chose quotes and jokes that I felt we could all relate to and included facts about the founding and the work of KAB.” Tracey
‘Out of Sight Not Out of Mind’ was made possible with support and funding from numerous supporters notably The Test Bed Fund, Medway Voluntary Action, Medway Council, Hyde, Rochester Riverside, Countryside Properties, Sparked Echo and Sun Pier House.
