Youngsters aim to dispel ‘nuisance’ myth with display

Aware that many see them as a nuisance or badly behaved, a group of 11 to 19 year olds from Robertsbridge decided to dispel the myth with their exhibition How Do You See Me? which runs from Monday September 23 to Monday October 7.

After winning £1,243 in a competition called Strictly Youth, run by East Sussex County Council, a group of more than 20 young people spent seven months expressing their opinions through art and film.

The project was completed with the help of local businesses, professional film-maker Nick Pilton and artist Pete Quinnel.

The group produced a short comedy-horror film called Little Shop of Stoners, which features a ‘weed monster’ who follows a young woman around Robertsbridge.

The film represents the experience of being under the influence of drugs. Film director Joe Chapman and main actor Aby Reed said they wanted to look at the lighter side of the serious issue of drugs.

They said: “The film is also saying don’t trust a big weed monster.

“Like you wouldn’t trust a monster doughnut - not because it is bad, but because even though it’s edible, it’s still a monster.”

The exhibition of the young people’s film, along with photographs, paintings and sculptures, will take place at Robertsbridge Youth Centre.

Young person Tiffany Wares, who was involved in the project, said: “Spending £1,243 on a young people’s art and film exhibition might be seen by some people as a waste of money, but people will have to come and see if that’s true for themselves.”

The work has been supported by Targeted Youth Support, Rother Arts, the blackShed gallery and Robertsbridge Arts Partnership.

For exhibition opening times see https://www.facebook.com/artsdevelopment.