Fostering Michael's talent leads to National Gallery show

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A 16-year-old who is deaf and in the council's
care has a painting in a National Gallery exhibition and a place at college to study art and media.

Michael O'Sullivan, 16, who is looked after by Hammersmith & Fulham Council with a foster carer in Kent, is one of the artists to feature in an exhibition of work at the National Gallery by looked-after children and young people from across London.

Line of Vision, which has gone on show at the
NG@Space section of the gallery until 14 October, showcases work by young people aged 11 to 19 who took part in an art project at the National Gallery from October 2004 to March this year. The young artists
were asked to create work in a contemporary style inspired by pieces in
the National Gallery's collection. They also produced figure drawings
and paintings of a life model draped in cloth resembling robes, and
incorporated motifs from details in the National Gallery's paintings
into their pieces. The young people were supported by professional
artists Ansel Krut and Dillwyn Smith as well as art therapist Peppy
Wilson.

Michael used oil crayons to sketch his drawing
of the life model then used oil paints to complete the work. He mixed
oil and water for the background and created patterns using carbon
paper. The project ran for four Saturdays and Michael spent two weeks on
his painting.
What most inspired Michael was being able to
work with professional artists. He said: "All the artists have
definitely inspired me to keep improving so that one day I can become
like them."

As well as being featured in Line of Vision,
Michael is pursuing his goal of becoming a professional artist by
embarking on an art and media course at West Kent College. He is looking
forward to exploring the creative possibilities of photography and
digital technology as well as more traditional techniques.

Michael said he had been given lots of
encouragement by his foster carer and Connexions personal adviser in
Kent.

Nova Levine, from Hammersmith & Fulham Council's
children in care education team, helped to co-ordinated the Line of
Vision project. She said: "Michael is a credit to himself and we are
very proud of his achievements."
Michael's brother Kevin, who is also deaf and in
the borough's care, took part in Line of Vision as well and is currently
studying sport in Doncaster.

Cllr Reg McLaughlin, Hammersmith & Fulham
Council's cabinet member for social inclusion, said: "It is really
important that the council, which has been responsible for Michael and
Kevin's care, should acknowledge their achievements like any other
parent would. The process of being in care is far from straightforward
and some young people have to move homes or schools several times during
their education. Michael and Kevin have achieved so much despite the
challenges they have faced - and as a council we take genuine pride in
this."

 

September 26, 2005