 | | Shape, a deaf and disability arts organisation, works to create access to cultural activities across London. Projects include The Colour of Music based at Oak Lodge School, Wandsworth. SW12, which uses music, theatre and visual art to introduce disabled and deaf children to the works of Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian artist who was inspired by classical music to create colourful abstract paintings. Children learn about Kandinsky’s life and inspirations through rhythm exercises and Theatre in Education techniques. They then experiment with using abstract shapes, colours and forms to represent the “emotion” of music. It is supported by Children in Need.
Disabled children living in Wandsworth can join the Saturday Art Club, a programme of extra-curricular term-time activities, which allows them to make friends and develop communication, motor and social skills through play and art. This is funded by Wandsworth Early Years and Child Care Development Partnership.
Other initiatives include the annual Deaf Theatre Summer Academy held in August, when participants are trained in acting, stage management and lighting skills. Taught and performed entirely in BSL, the course is accredited by the Open College Network. In 2005, it was led by the deaf American playwright and poet Raymond Luczak.
Deaf BSL users can also train as gallery guides through a training programme called Art Signs run by Tate Modern and the City Lit and accredited by City and Guilds.
Shape Deaf Arts, LVS Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA, minicom: 020 7619 6164; voice: 020 7619 2613; www.shapearts.org.uk
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