ANTONY GORMLEY SUPPORTS DISABILITY ARTS BURSARY

Angel of the North creator Antony Gormley has lent his support to an arts bursary that gives deaf and disabled artists the opportunity to develop their work.

The artist is the new patron of the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary, which is run by the disability led arts charity, Shape.

Adam, who had muscular dystrophy, was a successful sculptor, teacher and curator, and the bursary was set up by his friends and family following his death in 2005.

Antony said: "Adam was inspirational as an artist and a man - seeing his disability as a strength, and always open to new experiences and new expression.

"This bursary is the most practical and powerful way to continue doing what Adam did to make the possible palpable."

Tony Heaton, chief executive officer at Shape, said: "We are delighted that Antony Gormley has accepted our invitation to be the patron of the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary.

"Antony knew Adam and his work well. His quote very much sums up the nature and growing importance of the bursary.

"Shape is proud to continue to promote this wonderful opportunity for disabled artists to work in such prestigious places as Camden Arts Centre, the Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool and currently with Spike Island in Bristol."

The bursary offers disabled artists £5,000 towards materials or living expenses, a residency and support and advice from Shape.

The current recipient of the bursary is Aaron Williamson, who began his artistic career in sculpture, but moved into performance and video art.

Aaron's residency will be at contemporary art and design centre Spike Island, throughout spring.

He said: "Now aged 48, I fit the bill as a 'mid-career' artist still seeking and exploring new areas and ideas.

"The Adam Reynolds Bursary at Spike Island will allow me to continue this process of exploration and discover ways in which to revitalise my artistic work."

Shape is a disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people. It develops opportunities for disabled artists, trains cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and runs participatory arts and development programmes.

For more information about the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary and Shape visit www.adamreynoldsbursary.org.uk or www.shapearts.org.uk.


Antony Gormley, who has become patron of the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary, run by the disability arts charity, Shape. The bursary aims to give deaf and disabled artists the opportunity to develop their work.

Community Newswire
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