On the 4th May, Shoreditch Town Hall will host one of the most diverse and endearing exhibitions to have ever taken place in the East-End of London. Art Against Knives is a fusion of creative talent and a testament to the generosity and compassion of our home city, since unlike many other exhibitions in the surrounding area, proceeds from this event will not be going into the pocket of rich city slickers or Jay Jopling.
A year ago this August, 20-year old Central St Martins Student, Oliver Hemsley was stabbed by a group of youths at least eight times in an unprovoked daylight attack in London. Oliver’s heart and breathing stopped upon arrival at the Royal London Hospital, and despite being successfully resuscitated, he had to spend the next 134 days in intensive care, relying upon a life-support machine to keep him alive.
Thankfully, as a result of Oliver’s inspirational determination and the hard work of the medical team who treated him, his life is no longer in immediate danger and he has been moved to a specialist rehabilitation unit at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex. Unfortunately, due to the exten of his injuries, neither Oliver nor his family will ever lead a normal life again. Oliver’s spinal cord was partially severed in the attack, leaving him paralysed, with minimal movement below his nech. He will never walk again, and will require constant medical attention for the rest of his life.
Katy Dawe is a close friend of Oliver’s and also the driving force behind this incredibly ambitious event. The remarkable thing is that she is trying - with incredible strength and determination, to salvage something positive from Oliver’s tragic story by focusing on everything that Oliver loves so much in life. The aim of the two-day event is to spread the word about what has happened in the heart of our community, as well as to raise money and provide Oliver with everything he will need in the future. To date the response has been phenomenal with donations from Antony Gormley, Vivienne Westwood, Rankin and a whole other host of other well known and aspiring creative artists. Let’s hope that the event raises an earful of money - p.s. how clever is the advertising poster?
MONDAY 4TH MAY 2009
SHOREDITCH TOWN HALL GALLERY
11.00AM- 9.00PM ENTRY FREE
ART AGAINST KNIVES EXHIBITION OF AUCTIONED WORK
TUESDAY 5TH MAY 2009
SHOREDITCH HOUSE
Between 12.00PM-7.00PM entry is free prior to the evenings invite only event..
