‘Face to Face Exhibition’

Charterhouse is hosting the FACE TO FACE exhibition of portraits by local artist, Jo Shepherd. The exhibition celebrates the lives of people with profound and multiple disabilities.

Jo, from Godalming, has worked for the past seven years with the residents of High Hurlands Nursing Home and Community Homes as an art and music therapist. The exhibition celebrates the lives of 14 of the residents, many of whom came to the opening of the exhibition. Charterhouse is delighted to be hosting this wonderful exhibition and members of the public are welcome to view the portraits in Concert Hall at Charterhouse on Saturday, 15th October between 2pm to 5pm. 

Jo has been overwhelmed by the interest and appreciation of these works and says, “I am thrilled that these portraits are raising the profile of people with profound and multiple disabilities.”

BBC South Today came to Charterhouse on 11th October to film the exhibition and meet Jo for their news programmes. You can view this news coverage on the BBC South Today Facebook page: 

All the residents of High Hurlands have profound learning disabilities as well as complex physical needs that require 24 hour care. Most are without speech and lack the ability to move around independently. Jo says that, “These disabilities and communication difficulties have not hindered us getting to know each other and it has been a joy and a privilege to do so.”

The over-riding aim of the exhibition is to challenge any preconceptions that may exist towards people with profound disability and to convey the positive and inspiring facets of each individual personality.

The portraits have been painted with the full permission and support of the residents’ families and the care home managers.

Charterhouse is hosting this exhibition as part of its social responsibility programme. Ben Nicholls, Director of Social Responsibility at the School, said, "We firmly believe that as well as having things which we can hopefully share with others, we can also learn a great deal from the world around us, especially from other schools and charities. Jo's wonderful paintings, as well as stimulating and moving those who view them, are providing a bridge between Charterhouse and High Hurlands which we look forward to strengthening over coming months. The more residents, artists, teachers and pupils who cross that bridge, the better for both institutions, and for all of us as we build a stronger society and community."