Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 22 June 2007
Artist Harry Horne-Roberts with his father Keith
Saved from the dustbin, the work of a remarkable artist
THE child-like qualities in his work have brought him comparisons with professional abstract artists, but Harry Horne-Roberts is unaware that art lovers are captivated by his paintings. In fact, no sooner does the autistic 18-year-old from Archway produce a colourful painting than he wants to screw it up and throw it away.
It’s only thanks to his parents, Keith and Jennie, who regularly save his pictures from the dustbin that he is able to put them on display.
Harry, who lives in Cheverton Road, will be presenting his latest work at a remarkable exhibition from Monday at Highgate’s Lauderdale House. It continues until July 4.
The event, being organised by the Hoffmann Foundation for Autism, based in Wood Green, will also display work by Theo Attah, Denis Lloyd and William Long.
Harry, who attends Islington’s New Bridge School, has always been interested in painting.
His father, a retired architect, said: “He usually paints animals, including dinosaurs, but recently he’s taken to drawing girls, which is very nice.” Harry is also a whiz on the computer. “He is able to use it to paint or even compose music,” Keith added. “We’ve kept hundreds of his paintings. They show the way he has developed since he was a child. “He shows excellent line quality and I know I’m his father but I think he’s really very good.”