A BLIND veteran from Malvern who has developed a passion for art since losing his sight has attended the opening of a special art exhibition which features his work.
William Turner, 66, is exhibiting his work alongside other blind veterans at the ‘Art – Life Beyond Sight Loss’ exhibition which opened its doors to the public on Saturday (January 14).
The exhibition, which explores the role of art and craft in assisting blind and vision-impaired veterans overcome the barriers and challenges of sight loss, is being held at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
It includes paintings, wood work and ceramics produced by a number of blind veterans who have been trained in new techniques after visiting the charity’s training and rehabilitation centres.
After leaving school at the age of 15, William joined the Royal Navy, where he served as a radar operator, a diver and in the helicopter air crew.
It was at this time that he gained his pilot’s license, thus enabling him to become both a flying and diving instructor, occupations he would continue until he lost his sight.
He then served in the Special Forces from 1976 to 1983, during which time he toured several combat zones including Northern Ireland and The Falkland Islands.
William retired from the services as a Corporal.
Following his military career, William spent time working for both the fire services and police – including tours of Bosnia and Kosovo as part of a UN drug enforcement team – before sailing solo around the world, thereby maintaining an exceptionally active lifestyle.
It wasn’t until William developed glaucoma that he found certain adjustments had to be made. Even then, since turning to Blind Veterans UK, William has been able to transfer his considerable talents to a new passion – painting.
On his painting skills, William said “Seeking Blind Veterans UK’s support has been the best thing that could have happened to me. I have carried my easel up the Malvern Hills just to sit there and paint and I often find myself getting carried away and painting on A4 paper into the early hours of the morning.”
Indeed the full range and diversity of William’s talent is such that ‘Art – Life Beyond Sight Loss’ won’t be the first time William’s work will be on display.
Exhibitions held at venues including Westminster Abbey and the British Embassy in Kosovo have similarly had the pleasure of displaying William’s paintings.
Since the charity’s founding in 1915, Blind Veterans UK has considered the study of art and craft skills to be an important element of rehabilitation for the blind veterans it supports.
The exhibition is open to the public until January 29 – excluding Mondays and Tuesdays – and will be open from 10am to 4pm. Admission costs £3 per adult, £1.50 per child with reduced rates available for groups and schools.
Many of the items displayed in the exhibition will be up for auction, including a collection of signed portraits of celebrities such as Steven Gerrard, Joanna Lumley, Andy Murray, Lorraine Kelly and many more.
Visit blindveterans.org.uk/lifebeyondsightloss for more information and to bid on the auction.
