Disabled artist finds new ways to express

Jason Wilsher-Mills had a busy year mapped out, due to exhibit his work at the Tate Gallery in London after winning the Adam Reynolds Award - one of the highest accolades for a disabled artist in the UK.

Jason said: “Just before lockdown I was looking at my best year as an artist.

“I was awarded a huge commission to create a new sculpture for the Folkestone Triennial. This event is an internationally recognised arts event and is attended by over 300,000 visitors. As a result of Covid the event has been postponed until September 2021.

“I was also due to take my sculptures to the Tate Exchange in March, which again was huge. This had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.”

Jason went into self-isolation, shielding a week before the country did, because of his health condition, which affects his immune system and causes his disability.

He said: “I was a sitting duck, in terms of being vulnerable to the virus, so had no choice but to self-isolate.”

He uses a wheelchair and creates art reflecting life as a disabled person on his iPad.

Initially worried for his health and how he would be able to earn a living under lockdown, he then came up with an idea to work around it.

“This is when I came up with the idea of making films about my work from home and sharing them with the world. I have even done live broadcasts to Australia, whilst being in lockdown,” he said.

Due to Jason’s condition affecting the tendons in his hands rendering him unable to draw, he took the decision to make films in lockdown and start creating augmented reality experiences, with the help of Hot Knife Digital Media, using cutting edge technology.

His worries went into his work and the studio assisted him in turning his designs into giant inflatable sculptures, which he put up in his back garden in Sleaford.

Mr Wilsher-Mills said: “God knows what the neighbours think, hopefully it made them smile and think ‘we live next door to a lunatic’.”

He has also been offering the Arts Award online to children and young people over the internet, with The Mighty Creatives.

Jason added: “I am presently working on some very high profile projects, behind closed doors. But watch this space for that.”