Mike McCartney opens art exhibition by the late Simon Sherry

Mar 4 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

THE EYE FUND is holding a major Art exhibition to celebrate the work of a blind graphic designer.

Wirral’s Cultural Ambassador Mike McCartney will open the exhibition which can be viewed by the public from Thursday March 12 to Saturday March 21, at the Pavilion Gallery, Birkenhead Park.

The art on display is a combination of the late Simon Sherry’s work, professional artist impressions based on it and designs from Bidston Primary School pupils inspired by it.

Prints of all the pictures can be purchased and all proceeds will go to The Eye Fund.

Charity founder, Carol Sherry, of Oxton, said: “My family set up The Eye Fund in 2008 following the death of my son Simon.

“He stopped eating and died in 2005, aged 36, of heart failure because he couldn’t come to terms with losing his sight.

“Our aim now is provide as much support as possible for people like him.”

As Simon, a graphic designer, began losing his sight he created art to show how he felt.

These designs, which will be displayed at the exhibition this month, are bursting with colours and relate to the detail of the eye.

Carol said: “We hope people will support us by coming to see the exhibition.”

So far The Eye Fund has raised £26,000 to support individuals losing their vision.

This money funds a counsellor through Wirral Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted, at Arrowe Park Hospital and provides visual aids for people affected by sight loss.

Carol added: “Running this charity has been a really positive way of dealing with our grief as a family.”

For more information visit www.eyefund.info.