2022-11-10 16:52:56
Apron or Hairdryer? – The film challenging accessibility to the arts
Matthew Watson, artist, musician and recent star of short film, ‘Apron or Hairdryer?’ which will soon be screening at the Leeds International Film Festival, is a person with a learning disability. With support from charities Hft and Pyramid, he has proved that having a learning disability is no barrier to success and is ready to showcase his talent on a “world class level”.
‘Apron or Hairdryer?’ is a short film created by director Ben G. Brown. It delves into Matthew’s artistic process and creative side, showcasing his talent and vision alongside his charming sense of humour and cheering personality.
The film’s apt name is based on a word game Matthew created and regularly likes to play. He challenges people to pick one of two options that could be anything from tennis racquet or football pitch, to apron or hairdryer? With the rules unknown to anyone but Matthew, he alone determines whether you are correct – this provides an insight into Matthew’s creative thinking process.
‘Apron or Hairdryer?’ will be one of many films to be screened at the Leeds International Film Festival on Sunday 13 November. The film will be shown at 14.15pm at Howard Assembly. The event is the largest film festival in England outside of London and provides an incredible platform to showcase Matthew’s talent and also to challenge access barriers to the arts.
Matthew is supported by Hft, a national charity that creatively supports adults with learning disabilities to live the best life possible. His artistic side is similarly supported by Leeds-based arts charity, Pyramid, which supports adults with learning disabilities to discover and develop their talents by disrupting social and institutional barriers.
In the short film, Caz Stiff from Pyramid recognised that “people can be quite dismissive of the fact that people with learning disabilities are equally able and creative as anybody else.
“[They] have the same release from making artwork that other artists do, and have the same levels of talent and interests in the world around them that they want to put on paper or into music or into sculpture.”
Both Hft and Pyramid are challenging this stigma and the barriers that are preventing people like Matthew from expressing their artistic talents. Greater opportunity for people with learning disabilities to freely express themselves without restriction is salient.
Matthew’s role in the film, and his other artistic pursuits such as his frontman role in post-punk band Ultimate Thunder, further reinforce that people with learning disabilities have tremendous talent to share.
If you’d like to support Matthew and see this film in person, you can purchase tickets here!
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
–
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
