Watford based multidisciplinary neurodiverse artist, Vijay Panchal Fine Artist, specialises in character design, visualising dreams, and emotions. In 2010, Vijay attained his BA (Hons) in 2D Digital Animation focusing on communicating emotions through anthropomorphic characters. Vijay’s work has continued to organically grow, he has combined expressionism and figurative art to create series of compositions on different media such as prints and T-Shirts. His struggles with expression have inspired him in his goal to help others express themselves.
Due to battles with chronic ailments, Vijay is currently working on voluntary and charitable commissions and workshops of which he has accumulated 10 years of experience. From 2021 he has exhibited locally in Hertfordshire and at the Brick Lane Gallery. In 2022 he was a Finalist on the 7th Abstract International Juried Art Competition and Longlisted for the Visual Artists Open. In 2023 Vijay completed the Hatch New Founders Launchpad Programme to develop facilitating his art wellbeing workshops. He held them at Parallel Windsor and the Disability Awareness Festival along with exhibiting his work there.
Experience:
2023
Art Wellbeing Workshop Facilitator @ Disability Awareness Festival https://adultcare.redbridge.gov.uk/news/disability-awareness-festival/
Volunteer Creative Mentor @ Watford & West Herts Chamber of Commerce - Supporting kickstarters with their creative ventures through demonstrations, assisting, bouncing ideas and constructive criticism. - Giving advice on resources, project planning, goal setting, pathways and more.
Art Facilitator @ hERTFORDSHIRE M.E./CFS SUPPORT Group https://www.hertsmecfs.org/ I FacilitatED art workshops to aid M.E/CFS and Fibromyalgia sufferers.
Playworker @ The J.K.Club http://jkclub.co.uk/ I had the opportunity of providing the children with a stimulating environment through creative play opportunities. I facilitated art sessions on a daily basis. The children got a chance to create artwork in groups and experiment with a range of medium from clay to charcoal.
Teaching Assistant @ The Russell School Within this employment i supported individual pupils with special educational needs. I got the chance to teach the Year 5 students how to draw portraits using pencils and paint. They loved it!
Gallery Assistant for The Brick Lane Gallery. http://www.thebricklanegallery.com/ Alongside the general gallery duties, i applied the skills i had learnt to a contemporary portraiture exhibition. This included many duties, from creating its title and writing the press release to discussing the artwork showcased with the public at the private view.
Teaching Assistant for The Sunny Art Studio http://yinjieart.com/ I assisted students in developing their understanding of practicing art.
Portrait Artist for Awaiting Eyes Foundation. https://www.facebook.com/Awaiting-Eyes-Foundation-1521200918128343/photos?ref=page_internal I created portraits of the orphans and widows affected by the flood in Pakistan in 2005 to aid the charity. (Go to the portraits in the 'People' section of the 'Work' page: 'Muqadas' (2013), 'Sabri' (2013), 'Abdullah 2' (2013), 'Ali Raza' (2013), 'Saira' (2013), 'Abdullah' (2013) )
Support Worker @ Vision Mental Healthcare I got the opportunity to support clients on the Autistic Spectrum by preparing and facilitating therapeutic sessions arts and crafts sessions.
2011 Volunteer @ The Museum of Everything http://www.musevery.com/#main I raised awareness of this non-profit charity for self taught artists by speaking with guests.
EDUCATION:
2007 - 2010 BA (HONS) 2D Digital Animation:2:1 @ The University of Hertfordshire Specialising in Character Design
2005 - 2006 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Distinction @ The West Herts College Specialising in Animation
1998 - 2005 Westfield Academy Ogbourne award for Art 2005