'Tactile art' for blind on show

Musical Hirst by Alexandra Conil-Lacoste is on display

An exhibition of contemporary "tactile art" designed for blind and partially-sighted people has gone on display in Powys.

Touching Art Touching You by the BlindArt charity has opened at the Museum of Modern Art in Machynlleth, the only venue in Wales it will visit.

BlindArt said the exhibition shifted the established rules of art from sight to the sense of touch.

The work has been produced by blind, partially-sighted and sighted artists.

Gary Sargeant, whose sight gradually deteriorated from 1975 until he was registered blind 13 years ago, is a renowned artist and a patron of BlindArt.

His work has been exhibited around the world in New York, Florence, the House of Commons in London, the European Parliament in Brussels and the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Art is for everyone, not just for people who can see Blind artist Gary Sargeant

Mr Sargeant, 69, who was born in Abergele, Conwy, and who now lives in Yorkshire, said: "In the past I have been asked to leave galleries because it was felt I would knock things over, but blind does not mean idiot.

"The artists whose work is on display at the exhibition would want people to enjoy and engage with the art work without fear of being shouted at.

"This is tactile art where people can get involved.

"Art is for everyone, not just for people who can see. Some people find that hard to come to terms with.

"I hope the exhibition inspires people to take up art."

Mr Sargeant said it would be difficult for visitors to work out if a blind or sighted person had produced the work on display.