The Boy Who Played Cricket

 The 164th Society of Women Artists' Exhibition: The Boy Who Played Cricket

Gail Reid was appointed artist for the 10th Appearance Matters International Conference organised by the Centre for Appearance Research in June 2024, and a personal highlight of hers was the unveiling of a commissioned portrait of Amit Ghose.

Amit, who was a panelist at the conference, was actively involved in earlier livestream portrait planning over Zoom, having conversations with Dr. Maia Thornton from CAR, and the artist to explore his experience around being seen, how he chooses to reveal or conceal his visible difference, which elements of his life story might feature, and their combined hopes for the finished portrait.  

Amit described how his cricketing ability led to social acceptance amongst his peers at school, for it was only when he plucked up the courage to ask to bowl that he went from being "Amit, the boy with the funny face, to Amit, the boy who plays cricket." As portraiture is an opportunity to amplify elements of a person's story, it was decided to focus on his cricket.

We are hugely grateful to Helen Sinclair, President, and Anne Herbert, Vice President of the SWA , and its committee members for raising awareness of NF, and visible differences.

For more information on the exhibition, please click here.