As Hereford’s only independently-owned optometry practice, BBR is proud to be part of Herefordshire’s growing success – so when they wanted to purchase artwork for the recently refurbished practice they looked no further than county-based artist Edward Ball.

BBR now has three paintings by Edward, who has a temporary studio at Canwood Gallery in Herefordshire, proudly displayed on walls at the St Owen Street practice and is looking to add even more.

Nick Black, chief executive at BBR, explains: “Following our major refurbishment last year, we now have a lot more wall space in the practice so we have decided to invest in some original artwork to not only improve the aesthetics but also the experience of being here for staff and patients alike.

“Art is well known for improving people’s well-being and I saw some of the pieces we have bought at an exhibition Edward held recently and thought it would be fantastic to support this locally based artist in the way we already back arts organisations in the city such as The Courtyard.

“With Hereford bidding to be City of Culture 2021, this also offers us an opportunity to showcase some of the wonderful art being produced in the county and share this with our patients.

“We now have three paintings installed – Terminator, Postlude and Man with the movie camera, and two of them are from Edward’s 2016 ‘The Cinematic Collection’ and were painted to the music of the Cinematic Orchestra’s album Man With the Movie Camera.

“The paintings all look fantastic, even reflecting our corporate colours, and I am sure they will become a real talking point among staff and patients alike as well as helping to raise more interest in art and culture as we all back the City Of Culture bid,” he added. 

Edward, originally from Birmingham but working and living in Herefordshire for the past ten years, said: “I am delighted BBR Optometry has purchased these works from me and that they are considering having even more.

“This reminds me of how artists survived many years ago when they all relied on patrons and it is wonderful to see a local business supporting me in this way.

“My work is inspired by music and I paint directly from the beat, rhythm and sound of music creating pieces of artwork full of movement and colour.

"Just listening to music is creatively stimulating, it’s in our DNA, it connects with us on some primeval level, it makes people move, dance and it is a marker of memories in people’s lives. My concept is a very pure one – I paint the music. I achieve this in a very primordial way, letting movement and instinct take over the process, giving me the ability to render and express a large array of feelings,” he added.

Ed has work in collections within the UK, Canada and the USA, and has produced many commissions for public and private collections. He has worked closely with galleries, architects and interior designers to produce powerful work and site-specific paintings.

This year he is starting work on a new collection based at Canwood Gallery for whom he is producing a colossal 3m by 2m work that will be available to see there throughout the summer.

Edward added: “I am totally behind the City of Culture bid as I don’t think people realise how much creativity there is around Hereford. With strong artists and a vibrant design and craft scene, together with the Art College, art galleries and the wealth of avant garde independent shops and cafes, we are truly a great destination for culture. The city really is a hidden gem and it is a joy to be a working artist here.

“The new Canwood Gallery, is an amazing facility where I am fortunate to currently have my studio, it makes a strong creative hub and will put Hereford even more firmly on the map as a place encouraging artists and creativity,” he added.

You can watch the paintings being installed at BBR Optometry in Edward’s vlog and find out more about Edward’s work here. 

Pictured top are Edward Ball (left) and BBR chief executive, Nick Black, installing Man with the movie camera at the St. Owen Street practice. The other two paintings the practice has purchased are Terminator (centre) and Postlude (above).