BlindArt is a British charity that was established in 2004 to educate the public about the needs of people who are

visually impaired Visual or vision impairment (VI or VIP) is the partial or total inability of visual perception. In the absence of treatment such as corrective eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment, visual impairment may cause the individual difficul ...

and to promote the idea that lack of sight need not be a barrier to the creation and enjoyment of works of art. BlindArt exhibitions typically contain paintings, sculptures, installations and other works of art that have been designed to engage all the senses. BlindArt pieces are created by sighted artists,

blind artists Blind artists are people who are physically unable to see normally, yet work in the visual arts. This seeming contradiction is overcome when one understands that only around 10% of all people with blindness can see absolutely nothing at all. As s ...

, and partially sighted artists. BlindArt was founded in 2004 by the Iranian artist Sheri Khayami who has been visually impaired since childhood. The charity gained national attention in the United Kingdom following its 2005 Sense and Sensuality exhibition at the

Royal College of Art The Royal College of Art (RCA) is a public university, public research university in London, United Kingdom, with campuses in South Kensington, Battersea and White City, London, White City. It is the only entirely postgraduate art and design uni ...

in London. The exhibition was made up of pieces created by the finalists of the UK's first annual competition to create pieces of artwork that can be appreciated by visually impaired people. Annual competitions have been held since, with pieces of artwork from the exhibition for sale and proceeds used to create a National BlindArt Collection. Unlike conventional exhibitions, visitors to BlindArt exhibitions are encouraged to touch and interact with the exhibits, with latex and cotton gloves provided for this purpose. The experience is enhanced through the use of audio description and

braille Braille ( , ) is a Tactile alphabet, tactile writing system used by blindness, blind or visually impaired people. It can be read either on embossed paper or by using refreshable braille displays that connect to computers and smartphone device ...

signage. Plinths are also specially designed to allow wheelchair access. In September 2009, the National BlindArt Collection was given a permanent home at the

Royal National College for the Blind Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family or royalty Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Ro ...

Hereford Hereford ( ) is a cathedral city and the county town of the ceremonial county of Herefordshire, England. It is on the banks of the River Wye and lies east of the border with Wales, north-west of Gloucester and south-west of Worcester. With ...

, where it can be viewed by the public.

References

External links

BlindArt website

BlindArt at RNC
- Royal National College for the Blind website * {{DEFAULTSORT:Blindart Blindness organisations in the United Kingdom Health charities in the United Kingdom Health and disability rights organisations in the United Kingdom Arts organizations established in 2004 Charities based in London Royal National College for the Blind