In the Spotlight

Winner of the 7th Helen Keller International Award announced

We have revealed the winners for The 7th Helen Keller International Award main prize and the new under 16 prize. Announced at an awards ceremony in the Collins Gallery, the £1500 main prize went to Yvonne Larkin, from East Kilbride for her collaborative piece 'Love Colour', a giant illuminated heart. A £100 cheque went to another Scottish entrant, Hannah Duncan for the under 16 prize. All shortlisted artists received a certificate and the awards judging panel are completely independent.

"It has been a real challenge for the judges to choose winners in this unique competition. Given that entries are completely anonymous during judging, it is a fantastic bonus that a disabled artist is the overall winner. We have always noted that disabled artists bring a unique perspective to their subject, as well as a freshness and uniqueness to the arts," said Gillian Morbey, Chief Executive of Sense Scotland. "Once again the Helen Keller International Award has brought a diverse range of talent from across the globe which challenges many preconceptions around deafblindness and disability."

Yvonne said: "I'd like to give the heart sculpture to the new TouchBase centre which opens this year."

Main prize

• Winner - 'Love Colour' - Light, Wood and Perspex - Yvonne Larkin (Scotland) An illuminated heart of bright colour and flashing lights from Perspex.
• Highly Commended - 'All that I am' - Mixed textiles - Christine Hilditch (Scotland) A textile piece of featureless teddy bears
• Highly Commended - 'Touchee' - Film (26 Minutes) - Mikles Laetitia (France) - A film exploring silent communication through collaboration with deafblind people in France.
• Commendation - 'Which Way Is The Airport Then?' - Richard Aston (England) A bright and humorous painting reflecting the barriers that face visually impaired people.
• Commendation - 'Wee Doggie' - Sculpture - Derek Cassells (Scotland) An endearing sculptural piece from plaster, buttons and leaves.
• Commendation - 'Red, Yellow, Green and Black' - Acrylic on MDF - Emily Hero (England) A conceptual piece using British Sign Language drawings, colour and design.
• Commendation - 'The Old Silent Champ' & 'The light before the silence' - Oil on Canvas - both by Atichi Munala (Kenya) 2 paintings reflecting cultural experience of deafblindness in Africa.
• Commendation - 'Drummer Boys' - Video (VHS 19 minutes) - Karin & Malin Tiberg (Sweden) Documentary following the impact of music on a deafblind boy.

Under 16 years category

• Winner - 'Deaf Blind People' - Poster Paint - Hannah Duncan (Scotland) Painting with educational message
• Runner up - 'Inclination' - Acrylic - Safiya Ummu (India) A painting about creativity and inspiration
• Runner up - 'Interface' - Mixed media - Josie Vallely (Scotland) Sculpture from plaster, wood and textiles

To view a Gallery of all the entered work click here.

Venue:

Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde, 22 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ

Exhibition dates:

13 January - 10 February 2007

Gallery telephone:

0141 548 2558

Opening hours:

Mon - Fri 10am-5pm

Sat 12noon-4pm

Sundays - Closed

Admission

Free entry

Other Onformation

Wheelchair entry on Richmond Street. NCP car park off Montrose Street.

Back to the news page