In the Spotlight

Winner of Helen Keller International Award announced

Welsh artist's moving film about deaf father losing his sight wins £1000 art award

The Lost Reels, a Super 8 Film by Welsh artist Matthew Humphreys, has just been announced as the winning entry for the sixth Helen Keller International Award. The moving short film is about his father, who is deaf and recently became blind. The artist, who had travelled from his home in Newport, Wales for the awards, gave some background to this portrait of his father, "The life cycle of a butterfly, memories and the simple act of making a cup of tea are entwined to articulate his experience."

Mary, Dowager Countess of Strathmore LLD DL, Patron of charity Sense Scotland, presented Matthew with the winner's trophy and a £1000 cheque. The charity, which runs the award, supports children and adults who face challenges because of deafblindness, sensory impairment, learning or physical disability. None of the shorlisted artists knew who had won till the announcement at the Collins Gallery on Monday 31st January.

Winner of 6th Helen Keller International Award:

The Lost Reels by Matthew Humphreys, Wales

Two runners up (receiving a certificate and cheque for £200)

Jigsaw of the Mind by Alex Cameron, Scotland and
Limited Perception by Gill Horn, England

Three highly commended (receiving a certificate)

Just a small part of the bigger picture by Diana Fox-Flynn, Scotland,
Touching Stillness by Orly Orbach, England and
Touching Hands, Gavin Wilson, Scotland

Three commended entries (receiving a certificate)

My Hand by Safiya F, India,
The Conversation by Grace Newman, England and
Wee Man by Lewis Scott, Scotland

The multi media art competition, which runs at the Collins Gallery till the 10th of February, is open to any artist, with the only criterion being that work submitted must be on the subject of deafblindness. Artists' identities were undisclosed until judging was complete. The judges were: Monica Callaghan - Head of Education Hunterian Museum, Kenny Hunter - Artist, Pauline McLean - BBC Arts correspondent, Alex Robertson - Curator, Museum of Transport and Kirsty White - Arts Development Officer for Social Inclusion, Glasgow City Council

Venue:

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

Dates:

8 January - 10 February 2005

Gallery telephone: 0141 548 2558

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri - 10am-5pm

Sat - 12noon-4pm

Sundays - Closed

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

For more information about the Helen Keller International Award check out our webpages at www.sensescotland.org.uk/helenkeller. or contact the Sense Scotland arts department:

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