Sarah Ezekiel, who was diagnosed in 2000 with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – also known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS – makes pieces of art using eye-tracking technology. The highly sophisticated software gives the user full artistic freedom, as the on-screen cursor follows the movements of the artist’s eye. This allows the artist to operate the machine like a conventional computer; clicking, zooming and designing by directing their gaze to specific parts of the screen.
Through her creativity Sarah offers inspiration and support to thousands of individuals and their families who are facing similar situations. A video showing how Sarah uses the technology can be watched here.
To celebrate her talent, Sarah’s piece ‘Popred’ will go on sale in Furniture Village stores around the country. These pieces will be donated to the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity which supports those who have suffered from serious injury or disability through playing sport. The A2 print, with an oak frame, can be bought in store for £180.
The prints are on sale in the following stores: Brighton, Bristol, Chester, Croydon, Exeter, Gillingham, Leeds, Southampton, Tunbridge Wells and Thurrock. Additionally, Sarah’s work can be bought online unframed – with all proceeds going to the same cause. These can be purchased here: www.eyegazeartists.tictail.com
The Matt Hampson Foundation (www.matthampsonfoundation.org) provides advice, support, relief and/or treatment to people who have had debilitating accidents, in particular from participation in or training for any sport. The Foundation was established by Matt Hampson, an England Under-21 rugby player who suffered an injury in training in 2005. From that moment on he was paralysed from the neck down and was only able to breathe with the help of a ventilator.
