Welcome to my website everyone. I thought I'll write directly to you all in this bit of my website because it is a tad more personal. My name is Verity Baird and I'm an artist who lives in Brighton. I don't mind sharing a bit about my past because it has been integral to my art practice. As you may know already, I like to make artworks out of everyday materials and then change their significance through processes. This has been inspired by my love of Japanese aesthetics Wabi-Sabi. This aesthetic embraces the idea of beauty in the imperfect. I especially adore the Japanese art of Kintsugi that involves mending broken pottery with gold liquor. I am referencing these art forms because I resonate with the imperfect and broken. I have had a challenging past that has left me suffering feelings of hopelessness and I'm sure many others out there have experienced this too. My way of healing from this pain is to create aesthetically astounding and thought-provoking artworks, from everyday materials. This is an ethos similar to that of Kintsugi. I am writing this because I want to encourage others who have experienced something similar to me, not to give up. I also want to make a point that I am not ashamed of my past and that I should indeed share my story and achievements. There is beauty in imperfection!

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On the 3rd of October 2019, I received an award for Inspirational Young Person at the Local Heroes Award Ceremony, on the Isle of Wight. This is an extract from an article about this event which explains my background a little and why I got this award.

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"The Solent Youth Services-sponsored Inspirational Young Person award winner is the courageous and resilient Verity Baird. After a difficult childhood, Verity was fostered aged just seven. From being unable to read or write, Verity has transformed herself into an accomplished violinist and sailor. She has gained three A levels and a first-class honours degree in Fine Art. She has spoken at Parliament to children in care and is currently studying for a Masters degree. Verity is the first young person to have been in foster care to have studied at this level, across the whole of the Isle of Wight and Hampshire."- (Lucy Morgan, www.iwradio.co.uk)

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A big thanks to Solent Youth Services who sponsored the award. They are an amazing organization that gives hope to care leavers in need.

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If you would like to read more about this event, here is the link: https://iwradio.co.uk/2019/10/04/inspirational-isle-of-wight-radios-local-heroes-2019/

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Thanks for taking the time to read this. All the best,

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Verity X