STUDENTS of art and design at Waltham Forest College have taken part in an exhibition celebrating their projects over the course of the year. CLAIRE HACK talks to two of them about their work.

FOR some, art is an expression of creative talent.

For others, it is a way to share their thoughts and feelings without using words.

For Cheila Patel and Miriam Hills, who complete their studies at Waltham Forest College this year, it has been a way to work through personal tragedy and struggle.

Mrs Patel, 41, of Pearcroft Road, Leytonstone, gave birth to triplets nine years ago, two of whom did not survive.

Her work, in mixed media, mourns their loss and celebrates her surviving son.

She said: “Basically, it's about the spiritual and emotional element of losing two triplets. I've done three large works, depicting the three boys.”

Mrs Patel, who also has two daughters aged 12 and eight, has been at Waltham Forest College for a year, fitting in coursework around childcare.

“They're quite flexible there so it's enabled me to do both. It's saved my life in a funny kind of way,” she said.

“It's helped me to evolve quite a lot and I'm hoping to go on and do a degree now.”

She and Ms Hill, 61, have exhibited at the college's end of year show, which for them is the culmination of a BTEC foundation course in art and design.

Ms Hill, a retired nurse, of Clifton Avenue, Walthamstow, said: “I injured my neck and couldn't use my arm. I've since had surgery, which has given me a new lease of life.

“When my arm was bad, I couldn't do it anymore.”

A self-confessed “lover of beautiful things”, her work, entitled 'Dry Water', uses natural materials such as sand and bark to represent water.

“It's very textural stuff,” she said.

“It's things that matter to me – I like to put them into my work, which makes it quite personal.”

Their work was on display at the college from June 10 to 12.

The exhibition also included textiles, sculptures and illustrations from students of BTEC first diploma in art and design, BTEC national diploma in art and design, BTEC diploma in foundation studies in art and design and NOCN diploma in art and design.