ART is needed ‘now more than ever’ and should be promoted more within education, according to a comedian-turned-artist who chose Jersey for his debut exhibition.
Johnny Vegas, perhaps better known for his broad Lancashire accent, panel show appearances and sense of humour, recently opened his exhibition at Private and Public’s Phillips Street gallery.
Speaking shortly after the opening, Mr Vegas stressed the importance of promoting art within education, noting that it could also serve as an outlet for those with mental-health issues.
He said: ‘I think it’s vital and I think we have got to get beyond that notion of “I’m no good at art”.
‘With a piece of art, I can put stuff into that that I might not be comfortable saying out loud.
‘Somebody else who may have experienced the same traumas, or the same fears, can look at that and will pick up on it. I really think art now is needed more than ever.’
Mr Vegas gained a BA in art and ceramics from Middlesex University but was put off taking his passion further, although he did use a potter’s wheel in some of his early stand-up routines.
Commenting on whether schools should be doing more to promote the subject, Mr Vegas – who has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – said: ‘Yes, because not everybody’s gifts lie in [the] sciences, not everybody is academic. I love art because there is no definitive answer. That self-exploration is what I find so therapeutic and so beneficial. Mental-health-wise, it is going to prove to be one of those essential tools for helping people.’
To hear the full interview with Mr Vegas, listen to the podcast at bailiwickexpress.com or scan the QR code.
