When faced with the challenge of ongoing sight loss, how does a Digital Photographic Artist continue to create How does one navigate the uncertainty of the future, the discomfort and the searing light? Robert H. King, a visually impaired artist, reflects on these questions through his new exhibition.
The Artist's Vision
Robert's journey is one of resilience and creativity. He was born with sight issues and after experiencing a period of blindness, surgery restored limited vision in one eye. His condition is complex, including: aphakia (absence of a lens) in one eye; damaged retina and iris; permanently dilated pupil (Mydriasis); permanent double vision (Diplopia) of light and shadows and high light sensitivity. Despite these challenges, Robert views his condition as an "ever-present physical and mental challenge" that fuels his artistic expression.
A New Perspective on Self-Portraiture
The exhibition is a series of evocative, multi-layered self-portraits that challenge traditional notions of vision and artistry. The work combines: retinal scans; fluorescein angiograms; photos of medical equipment and treatment rooms; images from mobility and orientation white cane training. Using an iPhone and low vision aids, Robert captured images during his medical appointments and hospital visits, transforming clinical experiences into art. The images touch on various stages and emotions of sight loss like anger, denial and grief whilst drawing attention to some cliché tropes of blindness: helplessness, infantilising and darkness.
Beyond Disability: Celebrating Creativity
Robert's work goes beyond focusing on disability, instead engaging with the artist as a creative individual. Through blurred, distorted, damaged and obscured visuals, he creates "positive images and affirmations" to transcend socially established notions of how blindness and visual impairment is portrayed and represented in contemporary visual culture.
This exhibition serves as a form of creative activism and advocacy, challenging misconceptions about visual impairment in the creative industries. It's not solely about sight loss, but about exploring identity and pushing the boundaries of self-portraiture. By balancing artistic expression with technical limitations, Robert demonstrates the power of adaptation and the endless possibilities of creative vision, even in the face of physical challenges.
Robert has exhibited work in solo and group shows in West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Perth, London and California. His 'Seeing The Unseen' exhibition was the first of its kind in Scotland to have been produced entirely using an iPhone and iPad. He has been the subject of several magazine features in addition to numerous online articles. He was featured in 'Blind Ambition' a BBC Arts documentary about sight loss and creativity, and was commissioned to produce a number of works for its accompanying exhibition. Robert was shortlisted for a Lord Provosts Award for Outstanding Artwork, was a winner and received honourable mentions in the Digital Mobile Art and Creativity Summit in Palo Alto and had honourable mentions in the first International Mobiography Awards.
This exhibition has been made possible with a Visual Arts and Craftmakers Award from Creative Scotland and West Dunbartonshire Council.
For further information and images contact by email: rhkingart@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rhking.art
Dates
Friday 20th September – Tuesday 29th October 2024
Audio Described tour and meet the artist: Friday 10th October, 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Location
GALLERY 5, Clydebank Art Gallery and Museum, 5 Hall St. Clydebank G81 1UB
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm
Price
Admission Free