Colour blind sculptor threw away glasses to make art

A colour blind artist from Kent who makes bright sculptures said he threw away his colour enhancing glasses because the way he sees the world is part of who he is.

Robert Mitchell, from Chatham, said he started making art after he was unable to become an RAF engineer due to his sight.

The artist, who cannot see different shades of greys, blues and greens, makes bright sculptures out of resin, litter and sometimes designer bags.

However, Mr Mitchell said after he tried colour enhancing glasses he "threw them in the bin because I’m not broken".

Mr Mitchell said not being able to do the role he wanted in the RAF was "a bit of a kick in the teeth".

He said: "They said I could do something else within the RAF, but I wanted to work on the helicopters and have more of an engineering role."

The RAF said that, due to safety concerns, "applicants with colour blindness are only able to fulfil certain roles".

Mr Mitchell said he cannot always tell what colour his designs are and that he sometimes asked clients to pick out colours they like.

He said while he got "a lot of colours mixed up" he does not wear colour enhancing glasses when creating his art.

"I just see it as part of who I am, and I’m not alone either. There are so many artists who are colour blind," Mr Mitchell said.

The sculptor hoped that his experience would help other young artists feel they do not have to change themselves in order to make art.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.