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Vision-impaired artist sees work hang in NYC gallery
Amos Beaida's eyesight has been impaired due to the shattering of his optic nerve, but his meticulous drawings created with felt-tip markers give little indication of the disability.
The self-taught artist's work was selected as one of the winning entries of the Share Your Vision national art competition and displayed in a New York City gallery Oct. 22-Nov. 1.
The art contest and exhibition were a year-long project of Visual AIDS to raise awareness of CMV retinitis, an AIDS-related opportunistic infection that affects the eyes, potentially causing impaired vision and even blindness. The Share Your Vision project, made possible through funding from Roche, was designed to help people at risk look for symptoms and know when to discuss CMV retinitis with their physicians or health care providers.
Beaida began drawing more than 20 years ago but had shared his art only with family and friends. It was almost by chance that he saw information about the national art competition and decided to submit his work. The open call to artists for the Share Your Vision art contest drew approximately 400 entries from across the nation. Artwork was selected by a jury of respected curators, artists and physicians based on its ability to address, discuss or represent the artist's understanding of and/or experience with CMV retinitis.
Beaida believes it was CMV retinitis that caused him to completely lose sight with his left eye. After treatment, he has regained about 50 percent of his lost vision, enough to let him continue once more with his art.
He describes his art as geometric design, using tiny circles of color to create the intricate patterns. Each 8x10" drawing takes about 60-70 hours to complete. Ideas for new designs seem "to come from out of the blue," said Beaida, who explained that he usually starts with the frame and works inward. At the center of his award-winning entry, there seems to be an eye looking out on the world.
In addition to having his work displayed in the Manhattan gallery, Beaida's prize included round-trip travel for two to New York City, four days stay in a posh midtown Manhattan hotel, an awards banquet, $2,500 in cash and a matching $2,500 donation to the charity of his choice made in his name. Beaida selected S.N.A.P., an organization that provides food assistance to individuals with low income.