This exhibition of portraits represents the culmination of a project that saw the artist in residence with Project Ability during the ‘International Summit for learning disability artists and their supported studios’.
Acclaimed artist Tanya Raabe-Webber has a unique talent for capturing the essence of her subject’s personality with skillful expertise in painting and drawing. This body of work tells us a story about the community of artists that work at Project Ability, and other like-minded studios around the globe.
In 2015 Tanya was awarded a ‘Grants For The Arts, Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’ to be our artist in residence in the lead up to, and as part of, the International Summit. Tanya was with us for five weeks, and over the three day summit she used her talent to ‘document’ the different personalities present at the event (the residency ran from February 23 to March 25, 2015, the International Summit from the 4 – 6 March).
During this time Tanya painted portraits of the artists, visitors and delegates; anyone at the summit who wanted to be painted! These portraits are full of character, action and inspiration. Tanya has captured the high spirits of the summit and so many of the friendly faces that made it such a great success.
Whilst the exhibition of these works is on display at our Trongate 103 gallery, Tanya will be painting one more portrait for the exhibition – of married couple Robert Softley Gale and Nathan Gale– live in the gallery for the public to watch from start to finish. This is a first for Project Ability, and we are very excited about this special event. Tanya’s friendly, relaxed approach to portraiture allows for conversation, questions and the opportunity for visitors to bring a sketch book and create their own portrait.
Similar to a court room sketch artist, Tanya’s ability to portray an event is a strong element to her practice, and a unique quality that brings life to the work, giving her audience the opportunity to get to know her subjects. If you were at the Summit last March, you’ll be sure to recognise a few faces in this exhibition!
Live portrait sitting, Saturday and Sunday 16-17 January, 1pm-4pm.
Robert Softley Gale (http://www.softley.co.uk/) is Artistic Director for Birds of Paradise Theatre Company.
Nathan Gale, is a queer, non-binary disabled activist who campaigns for equal rights and recognition for all trans people. Nathan is a trainee solicitor working in the public sector.
You can read a review of the exhibition by Paul Cockburn on Disability Arts Online.http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/Tanya-Raabe-Webber-SummitPortrayed
The artist would like to give special thanks to artist’s assistant and photographer Celine Mcilmunn.
