Back by demand for the 2nd year running, ‘Creative Hands’ took place from Wednesday 10th June to Saturday 13 June 2009 and below is an interesting perspective by another deaf budding photograher/journalist, Louise Buglass, who joined the network recently. 

“A yearly Deaf Art Festival ‘Creative Hands’, which plays the role of providing a variety of creative activities over the four-day period, has recently took place at the Deaf Cultural Centre in Birmingham.

With the contribution by DANUK (Deaf Arts Network UK), co-ordinator Lisa Davies piloted the event which resulted in fulfilling its aspiration in presenting an inventive role for Deaf artists, pupils and visitors.

A private viewing was held on the Wednesday 10th June.   Produced by Deaf artists, the works investigated the themes of communication and showed how the artists confidently responded to this. Guests from the Council, local art organisations and professional artists attended and met with the artists exhibiting their work.

Glass-made stands which were located around the room consisted of enthralling sculptures produced by Deaf sculptors. A particular one in which held a deep significance was a cage with an ancient hearing aid placed within it.

“Seeing Deaf artists’ displayed art work in the exhibition was refreshing” deaf visitor Rebecca Vaughan said, “for me, the sculpture involving a hearing aid in the cage by Linda Bagnell had an impact on me because it showed her isolation in which is something I can relate to”.

Various splendour works were hanging on the painfully white walls, produced by the likes of illustrator Iva Hay, contemporary artist Olivier Jamin and multimedia artist Sunny Channa.  Communication Barriers by Iva Hay portrays an acrylic painting of a knotted rope in which newspaper cuttings are found entwined in it. “Deaf people have to ‘fight’ for any information they would like to know and this barrier is represented in the knot” Iva explained.

Creative workshops followed on the Thursday and Friday where Deaf artists lead the full day with d/Deaf pupils from local schools in the West Midlands, namely Percy Shurmer Primary School, Longwill School for the Deaf and Deansfield High School in Wolverhampton. The theme was ‘Masks’ where the pupils each ingeniously designed a mask. An edifying presentation took place underlying the historical overview regarding social, cultural and occupational masks.

With the received publicity during this event, various requests have been made for Deaf artists to visit regional schools to give talks and continue to deliver the ‘making masks’ workshops.  On Tuesday 14th July, Deaf Artist and Sculptor Linda Bagnall delivered such a workshop at Deansfield High School with more than 10 deaf and hard of hearing pupils.  Lisa said, “It was clear they enjoyed this very much because they made 2 different masks each, one to keep at the school and another to take home.  Being creative with their own masks brings new-found confidence in their potential and the masks really were wonderful!”.  It is hoped that this is the first of many such sessions and workshops at other schools all over the Midlands.   If you would like to partake in this exciting initiative, contact Lisa on below contact details.

With high hope of making next year’s festival twice as better by incorporating more local and national art organisations, in particular art galleries and museums, the Deaf Cultural Centre proves to be the place for Deaf artists.”

More information and contact details are found on the Deaf Cultural Centre website: www.deafculturalcentre.com”

With thanks to Louise Buglass for contributing and to Lisa Davies for re-editing this article.

Published 2nd September 2009