Hyderabad, June 4, 2019: The Institute for Vision Rehabilitation at L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is organizing an exhibition of tactile paintings made by artists with vision loss. To make this event more impactful, and to create awareness among the public, an exhibition of the art was held at the LVPEI campus today.
The unique art pieces of tactile paintings were created by 20 artists with vision impairment who had been trained in the art form at workshops held by the Institute for Rehabilitation at L V Prasad Eye Institute.
Art is a medium of expression, bridging gaps across languages, time and culture. But creating art work is perceived as something that is not accessible for persons with vision loss, often excluding them from truly experiencing it. Moreover, because persons with vision loss do not identify colours,nor the 2 dimensional features of mainstream paintings, it demotivates them from taking up art as a hobby.
In an endeavour to address this issue, the Institute for Vision Rehabilitation has been exploring the field of tactile paintings which could be inclusive for persons with vision loss. However, this required to equip them with the necessary skills to not only touch and explore these paintings, but make it themselves as well. Keeping this in mind, two workshops were organized last month to train persons with vision loss and ultimately skill them to make their own tactile paintings. This was done under the supervision of trainers with assistance from volunteers. A total of 20 artists with vision loss went on to create spectacular pieces of artwork that are definitely worth exhibiting.
On the occasion of Institute for Vision Rehabilitation's 27th anniversary, an exhibition to display the tactile paintings was held, so that persons, both sighted and visually impaired, can come together under one roof to enjoy and experience the beauty of art and appreciate the skill and aesthetic sensibilities of visually impaired persons.
About L V Prasad Eye Institute
The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) was established in 1987 at Hyderabad as a not-for-profit, non-government, public-spirited, comprehensive eye care institution. LVPEI is governed by two trusts: the Hyderabad Eye Institute and the Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation. The Institute is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness and a Global Resource Centre for VISION 2020: The Right to Sight initiative. LVPEI has ten active arms to its areas of operations: Clinical Services, Education, Research, Vision Rehabilitation, Rural and Community Eye Health, Eye Banking, Advocacy and Policy Planning, Capacity Building, Innovation and Product Development.
The LVPEI pyramidal model of eye care delivery currently includes a Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, 3 tertiary centres in Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, 19 secondary and 180 primary care vision centres that cover the remotest rural areas in the four states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka.
