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Carving out a new life
By Valentine Low, Evening Standard 06.08.07
Talent: Kevan Collins, who suffered brain damage in an assault, makes sculptures out of driftwood
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When Kevan Collins was attacked by a gang of youths in London two years ago, they all but destroyed his life.
As well as broken bones, he was left with a serious brain injury that went undetected until he was found three weeks later sleeping naked on a railway line inches from the live rail.
He has had to put his life back together with painstaking effort. The former joiner is not allowed to work because of the epilepsy caused by his brain damage but he has turned his hand to making furniture out of wood found in the Thames and the streets and parks of London.
Today his first exhibition, Grow, opens at City Hall. His works include chairs, tables, chests and a horse's head made from wood found in his mother's garden.
It is a telling metaphor - finding uses for reclaimed wood just as he has reclaimed his life. "This has given me my life back," said Mr Collins, 42, who has a workshop by London Bridge. "I'm enjoying myself, making beautiful things."
His life changed when he was assaulted in February 2005 near Elephant and Castle as he changed buses to visit his girlfriend. "They attacked me for absolutely no reason. I got out of the bus and they kicked the s**t out of me. They booted me in the temple. There were lots of people around screaming," said Mr Collins, who suffered a broken jaw, nose and ribs and a burst blood vessel in his left eye.
Already blind in his right eye after a childhood accident, he was lucky not to lose his sight altogether. After being found on the railway, "the police put me in the Maudsley Hospital". He said: "I kept telling them about the severe pain in my head. They said it was a common effect of depression."
Eventually he had a scan which discovered a massive brain haemorrhage. Surgery was successful but since then he has had epileptic fits. "I'm not supposed to ride a bike, or use any of the machinery I use, according to my neurosurgeon," said Mr Collins.
The exhibition, which came about thanks to a chance encounter with London Assembly member Peter Hulme Cross, is in the Second Floor Viewing Gallery until the end of this month.
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Reader views (3)
I was very touched when I saw Kevans work and read about his injuries. It is inspiring to see his work and what he has achieved. I work with a small self help art group called Headstart which was set up 10 years ago by two young men with head injuries the group now has 15 members with many varied disabilities and I know they will be intereted to hear about Kevans art work. Keep up the good work and good luck.
- Sue Moore, Leicestershire
Some lovely pieces at this exhibition. If you like unique furniture and sculptures check this exhibition out. Amazing to think that most of the wood used was washed up by the Thames.
- Kathleen Costello, Nunhead, London
Having seen Mr Collins' work I have to say he's clearly a hugely talented individual and I would urge anyone to visit this exibition and view his remarkable work.
- Sean Carlsen, Ladbroke Grove, London
