Sanctuary Carr-Gomm resident displays art at local gallery

Published by Oliver Kinbrum for Sanctuary Housing Association in Housing and also in Health

August 30th saw the opening of an exhibition at the Pallant House Gallery, in Chichester, by David Jones, a talented painter and a resident at Sanctuary Carr-Gomm’s Bennett House, a supported housing scheme in Brighton.

Whilst it is always a difficult task for any artist to have their work displayed in a gallery and something which many never achieve, for David the journey to this point has been particularly fraught and fragmented.

As a young man David moved to work in London in the early 80’s, he began to use narcotics and other drugs and set himself on a course which, several years later, found him in prison.

It was while serving his time however that David decided to take up drawing again, something which he had not done since gaining an ‘O’-level in art more than 25 years earlier. He decided to enrol in the prison’s art group, starting off with pencil sketches during sleepless nights through his detox period and gradually building up a significant portfolio of work, with a particular focus on portraits.

Following his release, David became involved with the art charity Creative Futures who helped him to nurture his talent and, in 2009, entered a piece of his work into the Outside In competition at the Pallant House Gallery. David went on to win the competition with six others.

Since leaving prison David has moved into Bennett House where he has received the close personal support needed to help take back control of his life and give him the best opportunity to make the most of winning the competition and focussing on his art. After completing a foundation course in art and design at Brighton College he has recently also achieved a BTEC in fine art.

David said: “The help I have received from the Sanctuary Carr-Gomm staff at Bennett House has been so important to me since leaving prison.

“The one-to-one sessions with Ann, my keyworker and Graham, the manager at the scheme, have benefitted me in all sorts of ways. Not only have they helped me set and work towards achievable goals in getting the exhibition together, but they have also helped me with the day to day aspects of life like managing my money to pay bills and taking the necessary responsibility to move towards living independently again. Without that support I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today.”

Scheme manager Graham Durey   said: “I am so proud of what David has achieved through hard work and commitment and of the small part I have been able to play in his personal development.  It has been very impressive to see how his skills and talent have developed during his time with us”.

When asked about his art and the exhibition David added: “The first time I saw one of my paintings in a frame, ready to be hung, I was overwhelmed. The way it had been transformed from the paper I had painted on to this fantastic piece of art was truly stunning.

“I have been working hard over the past two years and have started to look more to my surroundings for inspiration, using my camera to photograph everyday sights, then using the pictures to paint from.

“Having said that I still enjoy putting my own flavour onto other works which catch my eye, like Icarus in Brighton. I am particularly fond of the pre-Raphaelite movement and classical romanticism although I have always enjoyed painting portraits, I seem to have a bit of a knack for facial expressions. I’m really proud of my portrait of Ian Brown from the Stone Roses, I really feel like I’ve captured his sneer!”

The exhibition, entitled ‘Extensions Part One’, is a collection of more than 30 of David’s works from over the last two years. It runs from 30^th August until 2^nd October in the Studio at the Pallant House Gallery, 9 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TJ.