9th June 2023
NINE is an exhibition that is the result of a partnership between Mourne Project, Khcp and Arts Care, where Aaron worked with artist Helen Shields, as part of their Artist in Residence Programme. Over a number of years, weekly workshops took place, with Aaron working with and supported by Helen to achieve these paintings.
The subjects chosen reveal Aaron’s interests and passions and through a wide range of techniques and assistance, Aaron has been able to create these artworks. They have been created by painting with brushes and sponges, printing with bubble wrap, scrunched aprons, netting from fruit bags, yogurt pots, polystyrene, paper plates and lots of stencilling and masking. This project allowed a unique and supportive working partnership between Aaron, Helen and the Mourne Project team.
Through workshops full of ‘banter and craic’, Aaron developed many news skills and at the same time these paintings slowly emerged. The Mourne Project opened in 2005 and as explained by Interim Manager Susan McCutcheon is a unique, specialist day service, which provides slow stream, low stimulus, day support and rehabilitation for service users with an Acquired Brain Injury. The service is clinically led by Dr Eunan McCrudden.
The Exhibition continues its extended display at the Tower Gallery in Belfast City Hospital Tower Gallery until 4th July before moving to the Arts Care Gallery, 1st Floor, The Arches Centre, 11-13 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast BT5 5AA.
The team involved have been nominated and are finalists for the co-production award at the social Care Awards, 30th June 2023 at Belfast Castle.