An exhibition by neurodivergent artists goes on display at Surrey Quays.
The collection of artworks, all made by people on the autism spectrum or with conditions including OCD and ADHD, include a huge painting of rock group Queen, robot sculptures, and a pair of 3D pictures made from flowers.
Entitled, A Different Perspective, the show runs at the Art of Isolation gallery upstairs in Surrey Quays shopping centre from this Thursday (Feb 22) until March 6.
Most of the 50 pieces in the show have been sourced from groups in the borough including the Bede Centre, Southwark Helping Hands and the Bosco Centre.
Tim Stocks, an independent and established artist who has Aspergers, said: “It’s important to highlight work by neurodivergent artists, because it shows the positive side of a condition that we have to live with.
“I feel that the art comes not just from me being an artist but from the Aspergers. I might not even do art if I didn’t have Aspergers – because that was a gift from the universe which allowed me to actually make the art.”
Tim’s large painting, ‘Queen at Wembley, Live Aid 1985’, will be shown for the first time, and is a centrepiece of the exhibition.
He explained: “That painting is all about memories, it was 1985, and we had this lovely big lounge in Broadstairs, and as a ten year old boy I watched the entire live aid on the television, from Status Quo through to Queen.”
He says the challenges that Aspergers present can be a positive in his creative process.
“In our everyday life we can’t deal very well with surprises, but the strange thing about the art is that I never know what I’m going to create next, and will suddenly be inspired by something or someone and create that piece.”
Other works in the exhibition have come from independent artists and from Artbox London, based in Caledonian Road, who have been long time contributors to exhibitions at Art of Isolation.
Rod Kitson, who runs the mixed-use exhibition space at Surrey Quays, added: “This exhibition is all about celebrating the differences in the way that we can see the world, and highlighting some of the qualities which help make these artworks unique and interesting.”
A Different Perspective is on from Feb 22-Mar 6 at the Art of Isolation, top floor, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, SE16 7LL
Free entry.
Hours: Tues-Fri: 12-7pm, Sat: 11-4pm, Sun-Mon: CLOSED
