Henshaw's Arts and Crafts Centre, Knaresborough, is currently hosting an exhibition of art work produced by disabled activist, Di Lofthouse MBE. Working closely with artist Shaeron Caton-Rose, Di has created an extremely powerful group of works expressing her response to a visit to Auschwitz, last summer. Those murdered at Auschwitz, of course, included many people who were sent to the camp because they were deemed disabled. In this exhibition, Di expresses her reaction to what she saw in paintings, prints, sculpture and film through which she explores the theme of humanity in the face of atrocity. Her belief in the dignity of every individual 'whatever skin you live in' has long informed her campaigning and is a prime motivational force in this very moving exhibition. Part of the exhibition can also be taken on tour and is suitable for schools and other educational groups. It would particularly fit the history and PSHE curricula, dealing, as it does in a very powerful way, with issues to do with respect and human rights.
I have visited the exhibition and found it sobering yet hopeful. The Revd Elizabeth Sewell, the Team Rector of the Knaresborough Team of churches writes, 'This exhibition at Henshaws is amazing! Very powerful in its own right but also an opportunity (I think) to explore ability rather than disability.' It closes on 2nd September, so get over to see it this week if you can, especially if you think the touring version might be a resource for your school or church.
For information about the exhibition
http://www.henshaws.org.uk/arts-and-crafts-centre/events/2011/07/18/exhibition-the-auschwitz-project
Di Lofthouse, the artist
http://www.selfdirect.org/blog/profile21/di-lofthouse-mbe.html
in conjunction with Shaeron Caton-Rose
http://www.nyos.org.uk/Artist.aspx?id=208
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