After contracting Meningitis, as a child, Gareth (b.1984) attended 'The Royal School for Deaf Children', Margate and has remained a resident of Thanet ever since.  The illness left him profoundly deaf and with severe learning difficulties.

Gareth’s art has become a process through which he relaxes and expresses himself.  Art helps to ‘quieten’ Gareth’s mind from all the noise in his head, breathing in sync with his brush strokes.

Gareth is deaf, autistic and non-verbal, using British Sign Language and drawings to communicate.  Although he struggles to communicate, his colourful and distinctive artwork brings joy to any room.

It can take Gareth a few hours to many weeks to complete one painting.  Gareth is a self-taught drawer of simple, unusual, emoji resembling faces with emotions and is instinctive with colour.

Through the Art4All workshops, themes and composition guidance has seen Gareth paintings develop and are enjoyed through many sales. He is able to make decisions regarding what he makes. His paintings are proudly displayed in new homes both in the UK and one to the Middle East.