Seeing without sight

Pecerception isn't just about seeing.

I've known Hugh for around six years.

We worked together at RNIB. Initially, we were colleagues. Later, I was his manager.

Hugh is blind.

He wasn't born blind. Hugh has retinitis pigmentosa (RP). (And we thought 'multiple sclerosis' was difficult to spell).

Hugh is the same age as me - 36 (in fact I'm older than him by just six days).

Over the course of his 20s, Hugh gradually lost his sight through RP.

As we both have degenerative conditions, Hugh and I have a lot in common.

Hugh has done a lot with his life already. He's a British Gold Medallist in Adaptive Rowing. He's run the London Marathon. He's worked with me and lived to tell the tale.

Hugh is a sonic artist. He creates installations (works of art) in sound.

Although Hugh is unable to see my portraits, I asked him to tell me what he thought about them. In a sense, Hugh's perception of the paintings is more profound than that of anyone else who will see them. Not just because he is blind, but because he knows the subject (me) really well and has had the opportunity to question me about the paintings.

Here are highlights from Hugh's interview:

Friends like these

Well if you didn't want the world to see it, you shouldn't have done it!

I'm not referring to my paintings. I'm referring to a little spoof art documentary, filmed by some of my friends after a few pints (of vodka) on my birthday.

I was completely unaware that this little cultural gem existed until I reviewed the interview tapes and found it tagged on the end.

I am visible in this film - talking to my friend Steve in the background - but was completely unaware of what was going on mere inches away from me.

This short masterpiece features Anne-Marie, Roo, Jon and David (with a few innocent by-drinkers in the background, including my brother Calum, Paul, Jonathan, Leen, Graeme, Justin, Catherine H, Charlotte, Catherine WB and Grant).

Highlights include:

Anne-Marie's impersonation of art critic Sister Wendy Beckett.

Jon's revelation that seeing me nude served only to confirm his sexuality.

And who shall forget (and who might regret), "I'm reviewing her arse in a very positive light... it's post-modern, it's provocative, it's naked, it's out there!"

Thank you

Melissa Mailer-Yates

Greg and Tracey Kirkman

Claire Wingate, EnSafe

Diana Gornall, Matt Trainer and Chris Bray of the MS Society

Lee Benson, Number Nine The Gallery

Barry, Bread and Shutter

Iain Lee

Hugh Huddy, Jon Reed, Anne-Marie Alonso, Rupert White

Michael Nutley, New Media Age

Victoria Brignell & Angela Robson, Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4

Jemma Walton, Peterborough Evening Telegraph

John Lamb, Ability

Damon Rose, BBC Ouch

Graeme Aymer

David Stevenson

The members of Jooly's Joint and people with MS everywhere xxx

Permissions

Please note the following with regard to copyright:

• Images of the paintings are the copyright of Number Nine The Gallery and Melissa Mailer-Yates
  
• Photoshoot images are the copyright of Bread & Shutter


• 'Sungrazer' by Thirsty is the copyright of Thirsty.

Out takes

Here are some sneaky out takes from interviews with Hugh and Roo (Shhh! Don't tell them!)


Hugh shall have the last word...