Working with Theresa

Three years ago while walking past the Canadian Institute for the Blind in Ottawa, a profound insight flashed before my mind. My whole body resonated with the truth of how sculpture would enable a blind person to see through their hands. I went on to imagine a studio workshop and exhibition space devoted solely to the sculpture of the blind and visually impaired. In my heart l knew that this dream contained the distilled essence of my life’s work - I wanted to work with the blind in sculpture.

In bringing this dream down to earth l was venturing into unknown territory. My training in sculpture therapy had not researched ways of working with the blind and visually impaired. I wondered how l would ever find someone courageous enough to start working with me in sculpture. I searched for over six months, met many obstacles, and l was about to give up when l unexpectedly met Theresa Dupuis.

Theresa is known as Queen Bee. She became blind at the age of sixty and after two years of struggling with her fate, she turned her disability into a power. Theresa is now president of the Canadian Council of the Blind in Ottawa and Legislative Director of the CCB Ontario Division. She strives to educate sighted children and adolescents in public schools, about what it means to be blind. She is also thoroughly engaged with other activities, like sculpture, downhill and cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, tandem bicycling, kayaking, yoga and meditation.

Her power shines through in the following words:

“ I am thankful for the loss of my sight, because it has changed my life for the better. I would not change places with anyone. I would never have met so many wonderful people and l certainly would not have had the opportunity to do sculpture. I am so fortunate!”

Theresa and l have been working in sculpture for the past three years. We proceeded very methodically, slowly and building up a sculptural repertoire that would enable her to learn the language of form. A brave new world has opened up. Theresa’s hands are now sensitive to the underlying energy that lives within the clay.

Our work together took an interesting turn. In January 2005 l was asked by the National Gallery of Canada to give a Master Class in sculpture for the blind and visually impaired.

© all content Copyright Hilde Paz 2006

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