Work by artist who uses eye tracking technology on sale in Exeter

In an art, technology, and charitable first, Sarah Ezekiel - an artist diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease who paints using eye-tracking technology - will be selling her work in Furniture Village stores across the UK in order to raise funds and awareness for disability charity The Matt Hampson Foundation.

British artist Sarah Ezekiel was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) - also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease or ALS - in 2000. Since then she has been actively raising awareness for the illness by creating pieces of art with assistive eye-tracking technology made by Swedish company Tobii Dynavox (www.tobiidynavox.com). Furniture Village - the UK’s largest independent furniture retailer - has pledged to support Sarah by buying A2 prints of her designs, which will go on sale in stores all over the UK. Sarah’s interview on London Tonight, which also shows the artistic process itself, can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpgKO6EMoU

All of the purchases will be in the design of Ezekiel’s painting ‘Popred’, with one hundred percent of the revenue they generate being donated to The Matt Hampson Foundation – an organisation which supports those who have suffered from serious injury or disability from sport-related activity.  Additionally, all online sales of the painting will be donated to the Foundation. These can be purchased here: www.tictail.com/eye-gaze-artists

‘Popred’ (right) was an experiment by Sarah to try to create a piece of wall art. It took around five hours for her to paint, during which time she discovered new techniques within the software. The artwork was presented to the King and Queen of Sweden by Tobii (now Tobii Dynavox) in 2012. 'Popred’ is priced at £180 for a framed A2 print.

To see Sarah’s art visit www.furniturevillage.co.uk/Magazine/Homepage.aspx

Sarah Ezekiel is part of a larger global collective of artists with severe physical disabilities who use eye-tracking technology to bring their artistic visions to life. This movement is called EyeGazeArtists and also includes Marvel comic illustrator, Francis Tsai. Over the coming months, Patrick Bates, a 43-year-old Coventry-based artist who has Cerebral Palsy, and Athena Storm, a seven-year-old living in Maryland who has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, plan to join the initiative which is designed to become a growing, permanent platform for artistic creativity in the future.

How Eye-Tracking Technology is used by Artists

Sarah Ezekiel’s art is created with the help of eye tracking technology made by Swedish company Tobii Dynavox. The artists create their work via use of eye control hardware and a range of mainstream art software.

Through a camera based addition to their computers, the artists have, for the first time in their life with a disability, been given back the ability to use a pure, freehand mouse. The technology allows users a 160 degree view in front of them, on which they can edit, type and design on screen. The software cultivates new skills and promotes creativity; going a long way to increasing happiness and, by extension, health.

Charlie Harrison of Furniture Village comments: “Having followed Sarah’s work closely over the last few years, we were keen to provide her with a platform for her art to get the exposure it deserves, by showcasing her talent all over the country. The money this generates, which is subsequently donated to The Matt Hampson Foundation, will help and encourage people in similar situations to Sarah to pursue their aspirations – whatever they may be. The societal presumption that a disability automatically prevents you from achieving your dreams is wrong. We should celebrate the brilliant, talented artists and achievers who are amazingly successful in spite of their disabilities. Sarah is a fantastic and informative example of this, not only to people within the disabled community but also to society at large.”

Sarah Ezekiel is a London-based British artist, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2000. Through her art she offers inspiration, support and a positive outlook to thousands of families facing a similar situation. Sarah believes that technology gave back her freedom of expression, which had been taken away by this debilitating disease. Now she wants to provide the same opportunity for others. Despite the physical obstacles she faces on a daily basis, she has exhibited all over the world: including the prestigious Royal Academy Schools in the UK and the Katara Art Centre in Qatar. Sarah has been the Secretary of the northwest London Branch of the MND Association since 2012 and is on the board of the charity Movement for Hope. She has had articles published and given presentations to health professionals and was the London Jewish News Community Hero 2010. She was also featured in the Motor Neurone Disease Awareness (MNDA) advert, 'Sarah's Story'.

Sarah Ezekiel comments: “Being able to use this technology, and sell my work as a result has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only has it allowed me to pursue a passion of mine I never thought I’d be able to do again, but it has allowed me to do it well. Being artistic, no matter to what level, is something everyone should be able to do and enjoy. The development of technology such as that of Tobii Dynavox is making that possible, with the precision and accessibility that means users are truly proud of what they create. I am overjoyed by the fact that Furniture Village has made it possible for my art to raise funds for The Matt Hampson Foundation – a cause that is very close to my heart. Hopefully the money that is donated will help other people facing similar daily problems to achieve their creative dreams and improve their quality of life.”

Furniture Village – the UK’s largest independent furniture retailer – will be reinforcing its own ongoing support for the Matt Hampson Foundation (www.matthampson.co.uk) by featuring and selling works by Sarah Ezekiel within its 40 UK stores. The company will be selling prints of her painting ‘Popred’ across its 40 stores, with all the proceeds going to The Matt Hampson Foundation.

The Matt Hampson Foundation provides advice, support, relief and/or treatment to people who have had debilitating accidents, in particular from participation in or training for any sport. 

To see Sarah’s art visit www.furniturevillage.co.uk/Magazine/Homepage.aspx