LIVING with physical disabilities is the inspiration behind a unique exhibition of art work at Watford Museum.

Past, Present And Future was produced by ten members of the Watford charity, Drum, which provides facilities for people with disabilities.

Their experiences of life stimulated the artworks which were produced during a 12-month period.

Tutor Julia Chapman-Hearn, who led the project, said the three-year-old art group had reached a stage in its development where members were ready for the challenge of an exhibition.

"The individual artists were asked to use their own unique experience of life as a primary source material to make paintings which represent to them, and express how they feel about, their own individual past, present and future," she said.

"The group was thus able to explore and experiment using its now quite developed artistic language and skills."

Artist Roger Pugh, who produced Glow Of Blackpool, said he began painting about a year ago.

"It has opened my eyes to a lot of things and has given me a new way of expressing and feeling things and saying what I want to say," said Roger, who is 39 and lives in Watford.

"It gives me a sense of achievement and more self-confidence to see my finished works."

Drum, which began as a self-help group in October 1994, is a resource and information centre for adults with a physical/sensory disability and is based at the Balmoral Centre, Clive Way.

According to members of the art group, studying the medium offers enjoyment and escapism.

Artist and Drum chairman Malcolm Cracknell, 50, from Croxley Green, said previously he had no interest in art or pottery, but added: "When we began the classes I joined in to get things going and through this found that I actually really enjoyed it - and I haven't looked back since.

"It gives me an escape from life and a real pleasure in doing it."

Meanwhile, Malcolm Alden, 54, of Rickmansworth, has sold a couple of his works.

"I had a major stroke in 1993 and my right arm is useless, but my left hand is all right. I was in the film processing business, so I had lots of photograph albums, which I draw from," he said.

"Now I go to art classes and I also try to paint pictures I have seen."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.