International Art and Disability Exhibition at York St John University

This is the third year the exhibition will be held in York, which will display works submitted for the Eleanor Worthington Prize as well as videos documenting the activities of the Associazione.

The prize has been established in memory of Eleanor Worthington, a severely disabled Anglo-Italian young woman, who throughout life kept a strong enthusiasm for living, which was inspiring for the many people who met her. The prize concentrates on visual language and is for young people in secondary schools, colleges and universities. Two parallel sets of prizes have been awarded to students from Italian and from British institutions

Jack Laycock, a Fine Art student at the University, received the British second prize in this prestigious art award with a piece (pictured above) depicting his mother who suffers from Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy (HNPP).

Talking about his winning piece Jack said: “The piece depicts the relaxation time of a sufferer of HNPP. Using my mother who suffers from HNPP as a model, I have captured the moment in which she is least affected and therefore feeling her most comfortable. In most cases, the only effect HNPP has on your physical appearance is high arches on the feet; I have chosen to frame this within the piece and not the hand support as it wouldn’t usually attract your eye.

“As a disability that is still gaining recognition, achieving second has helped to spread awareness further and I feel humbled that the piece has been highly commended within the prize.”

Professor Karen Stanton, Vice Chancellor of York St John University said: “We are all incredibly proud of Jack achieving second place in the British prize. We are pleased to be hosting the exhibition on campus this year and support the aim of the Associazione in raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.”

The opening night will offer an opportunity to meet the artists, network with people in the field and see the artwork submitted for the prize. The event is free and open to the public, but booking is essential.