A VISUALLY impaired artist from Formby will be sharing her unique perspective of the world at an exhibition.

Rachel Duerden has had severe visual impairment her whole life, but it is her unique perspective that has enabled her to produce original works of art.

Interested in drawing and painting from an early age, the 31-year-old graduated from the University of Wales in Cardiff with a degree in fine arts nine years ago.

Currently a workshop leader for the North West Disability Art Forum in Liverpool, Rachel has developed a way of presenting her view of the world through abstract painting.

The Birkey Lane resident said: "I have always enjoyed art more than anything else. The way I paint is how I understand the environment and the world around me. I can interpret the way the world looks to me and simplify the images around me, without all the camouflage, as a way of under-standing it."

Last year, Rachel's work went on display at Egg Space Gallery in Liverpool and will be exhibited at Birkenhead Central Library from April 1 to May 1.

It will be displayed with paintings and sculptures by other disabled artists from across the region.

Rachel said: "My exhibition paintings are of a seascape theme, of warmth and of being on holiday in the sun. I want to convey a sense of calmness in my work and I do find painting very calming. I was amazed, when I visited Majorca, at the landscape with its naturally bright colours, it really inspired me."

* The paintings will be on show in the library on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 8pm and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.