TALENTED veterans have been using their creative skills to prove that sight loss does not need to be a barrier to enjoying the arts.

A number of visually-impaired veterans have produced self-portrait sculptures for a public exhibition.

David Martin, 35, from Barrhead, and 88-year-old Paisley man Robert White are among those whose work has gone on show at the Seeing Through Sculptures event at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

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Led by artist Jason Davis, they produced clay busts over eight sessions at the Scottish War Blinded charity’s Hawkhead Centre, in Paisley.

Last week, the veterans went along to the museum to proudly show their work to visitors of all ages, explaining how they created the works of art.

David, who only has sight in one eye, is thrilled to be able to share his sculpture with others.

He said: “It’s lovely that the heads have been put on display. I can’t believe how good they are.

Barrhead News:

The work was on display at the Kelvingrove Museum 

“Making my sculpture was a great experience, just seeing the transformation from a big wad of clay. The things we get to do at the Hawkhead Centre are fantastic.”

Robert, who has no central vision, added: “I was ecstatic to see the sculptures on display. I surprised myself, even while I was making my sculpture. The clay was quite easy to work with.

“I found it very interesting.”

Scottish War Blinded provides free support to former servicemen and women of all ages, no matter if they lost their sight during or after service.

Sally Ross, manager at the Hawkhead Centre, said it was a “big moment” for the veterans when the exhibition was unveiled at Kelvingrove.

She added: “It’s a great sense of achievement for the veterans.”

Shanana Khaliq-Lyon, learning and access curator at Kelvingrove, described the sculptures as “brilliant.”

She said: “We were really delighted to have the veterans here at Kelvingrove Museum. “When I first visited the Hawkhead Centre, as soon as I saw the sculptures, I was so impressed and thought we just had to have them on display.

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“It’s really important to work with organisations like Scottish War Blinded. To have more people walking away from the museum after visiting and meeting the veterans with more of an understanding of sight loss is really important.”

The Hawkhead Centre offers various activities, with transport provided free of charge. Call 0800 035 6409 to refer a veteran to the charity.