Prism Arts

A collection of circular and curved forms that overlay one another, creating different shades of blue, from a pale translucent background, to almost black.

Black line drawing of a face, with patterned markings around the eyes and long tongue sticking out.

Mixed media collage with blocks of felt pen in a warm yellow and smaller blocks of blue, red and green forming a gently curve, rectangles of patterned paper and five circle stickers layered on top.

Welcome to an online exhibition of artists from Prism Arts, a neuro-inclusive artist collective based in Carlisle. It includes work by 20 different artists as well as videos that show their making process.

This collection uses bold shapes and bright colours, as well as different techniques and styles. Some pieces were made during specific projects, learning workshops, or during supported studio sessions.

The making process is the most important part of this work, with artists getting immersed, working instinctively and unselfconsciously to express themselves and play with materials.

[listen to page HERE]

Block collage of 6 large pieces coloured paper in purple, yellow, red and pink on an orange background. A line figure is painted over the top, either side painted text reads: ‘max millo’ ‘star wars’.

Abstract mixed media with rough black cross in the centre, dividing a pale yellow, purple, and orange section, with black paint and wax crayon marks adding texture and circular shapes.

Painting of a room with heavy black lines outlining the walls, doors, furniture and floorboards, including a tv on a cabinet, a blue table with a potted plant, and colourful blocks that could be another room or corridor.

Swirling colours of pink, purple, and blue paint as if being mixed, similar to tie-dye designs.

Big blocks of coloured paper in light blue and red, collaged onto a yellow background creating an abstract image that looks like boulders or stones.

A series of yellow, green, and black painted vertical lines coming from the bottom of the page. The lines finish at different heights, some in the lower half of the painting, others stretch up, and curving. Some have semi-circle shapes in purple and green, with short lines coming off them at the end, as if flowers or thistles.

Line drawing of a simple swirl with a smiley face in the centre on a bright turquoise background. ‘It is a crabs’ is hand written underneath.

ARTISTS

Andrew Evans

Annie-Robinson

Catherine Quilter

Caroline Stanley

Ellz O’Roarty

Emma Evans

Harvey Tye

JYMA

Katie Rudd

Matt Armstrong

Michael Morley

Nigel Hayman

Rosey Thompson

Shell Oates

Therese Carlsson

Textured abstract painting of two small shapes that look like bags, lanterns or hot air balloons in red and blue. They are surrounded by dark purple, pale yellow, and dusty pink sections.

Expressive paint strokes in orange, reds, blue, green and black, that have a chaotic rhythm, and show how the paintbrush has moved across the page.

A faded print of the famous image of children being chased by soldiers, fleeing napalm in vietnam, taken by photographer Nick Ut, with the handwritten text: ‘ suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come onto me - for such is the kingdom of heaven.”

A rainbow, maze-like pattern of irregular, slopping rectangles that looks like a textured vortex or dream, coloured in yellows, pinks, greens, blues, purples, greys, whites and more.

Blotchy paint strokes that feel shaky or in motion, in a mix of purple, pink, and red, with gaps of white, as if parts have been rubbed out.

Textured colourfully surface in shades of magenta, pinks, warm orange/yellows with small, rough circles that look scratched in or in wax crayon covering it in a pattern. The circles are yellow, white, blue, green, and black.

Watercolour of seven soft blue shapes that look like abstract, simple flowers, perhaps delphiniums, on a green background that blurs and runs together.

Blue painting with a thin wash that shows brush strokes forming the background with a dark blue pen drawing of a simple face with dot eyes, a u-shaped nose, and tongue sticking out.

Digital drawing of objects including a yo-yo, gluestick, camera, trophy, lipstick, bell, magnet, clock, key, magnifying glass, traffic light and fridge. All filled with bright colours surrounding the title “OBJECTS”.

ABOUT PRISM ARTS

Prism Arts is a neuro-inclusive artist collective based in Carlisle. The charity works throughout Cumbria to support and celebrate learning-disabled and autistic talent through enriching creative programmes.

The studio runs multi-artform, multi-sensory programmes, allowing our artists to experiment with a huge range of techniques and materials. Our goal is to develop strong, creative voices who aren’t afraid to challenge the mainstream perception of what art can and should be.

We passionately believe in creativity as a catalyst for personal development. Our programmes drive individuals to explore new perspectives, confront challenges and build in confidence.

“You do you. Be yourself. Be creativity and don’t be scared. Prism Arts is like a family.”

Marina, Prism Artist

You can support Prism Artists by checking out the newly-launched Prism Shop.

Follow Prism Arts on Facebook and Instagram.

This exhibition is part of Still Remote, our online programme that considers our recent digital history, the opportunities and barriers of online spaces, and what this means for creativity, collaboration, and access.

Elements from this exhibition, and the rest of our programme will be shared across our digital platforms. Find out more about Still Remote and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to make sure you don’t miss out.