Disabled artist empowers adults with learning disabilities to create digital art for upcoming exhibition at stately home

Acclaimed disabled Yorkshire artist Jason Wilsher-Mills invited people with learning difficulties to the Rotherham stately home to learn how to make art digitally.

Jason taught himself how to use digital technology after a disability caused by a childhood bout of chicken pox suddenly worsened.

At just 30, he was forced to leave his art teaching career, so he decided to “paint his way” back to supporting his family.

His disability meant Jason could no longer paint with oils, so he picked up an iPad.

His latest show, Jason & His Argonauts, a 20-21 Visual Arts Centre Touring Exhibition which he describes as “activism in art form”, opens on Saturday (29).

Lightbox installations, wall hangings and intricately decorated fibreglass and inflatable sculptures celebrating disability and Jason’s northern working-class heritage will be displayed on the ground floor and gardens of the Grade I-listed stately home, making it fully accessible for all.

Jason, now aged 54, said: “I used to make art about me — now I make it about the lives of people with disabilities and the inequality in our society.

“The faces of people who took part in the workshops will be the first thing people see when they come to the exhibition.

“You matter — that’s what I’m trying to say.”

Ahead of the exhibition, he staged workshops for members of ArtWorks South Yorkshire, Rotherham Opportunity College and Sheffield-based Under The Stars — organisations which help adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential.

They were taught by Jason how to create art with iPads and made striking digital images of their faces and favourite things.

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s staff and volunteers joined in too, and Jason has now added over 30 digital faces into six fabric artworks which will hang in the mansion’s Pillared Hall during the exhibition.

Chris Gaunt, one of its care co-ordinators, said: “Our members have dabbled a little in digital art, but they mainly work with paints and pencils. This was a great opportunity for them to learn new techniques from an expert.

“Jason took photos of them and they really enjoyed transforming their images with the iPad techniques he taught them.”

Lisa Fairchild, of Aston, has been with ArtWorks for four years.

She said: “It was really good to work with Jason.

“I usually draw by hand but he gave me lots of advice on how to paint on an iPad. I think I still prefer my crayons and paints, though!”

Sci-fi fan Craig Poultney, of Thorpe Hesley, created a brightly-hued digital version of his face, and his favourite possession — his hand-made model Dr Who Tardis.

Harvey Hopkinson, of Kimberworth, also enjoyed picking up new skills.

He said: “It was good fun.

“I learned how to use the iPad to paint. Jason’s a great guy.”

Jen Booth, the preservation trust’s visitor operations manager, added: “Jason’s art makes strong statements about disability and inequality.

“The audiences he represents are among those the trust strives to connect with and support.

“Thanks to the workshops Jason hosted, when his spectacular exhibition goes on a show with us it will feature creations by local people, which makes it even more special.

“It is a must-see.”

Exhibition entry is included in the cost of general house and gardens admission.

Visit https://wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk/whats-on/jason-and-his-argonauts/ for more information.