Wednesday 6th July 2011

Oliver Byne is a 16 year old from Sheffield who has just completed his GCSE's. Like most lads of that age he likes his football, snooker and collects autographs. He also does a bit of painting as a hobby.

Nothing unusual there then …

However, Oliver is also completing his Duke of Edinburgh Award and, as part of that, has to raise money for charity.

And this is where any Spireite fan may want to read on...

During the 2010 World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre, Oliver painted each of the players competing as part of the 'skills' section of his award. Waiting outside he collected all their autographs on the paintings - intending to sell them to raise cash for his Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

However, a conversation with Steve Davis led to a suggestion from him that Oliver should keep the originals as testament to his hard work and that prints should instead be sold on, with players re-signing those too. It took him a year to get all 32 players and raise much-needed funds for the expedition and his chosen charities.

Having already attracted attention, the originals are to be sold during next year's championships at art Bank Street. The style has been termed 'Art-a-graphs' denoting the fusion of art and autographs and was well received, with Oliver showcasing his work at the Crucible Pub and at the Winter Gardens.

This led to football and the next challenge. A self confessed Blade, and lifelong Sheffield lad, Oliver wanted to paint a local team's players and collect their autographs to raise more funds. However, as Oliver's mum, Joanne, explained to The Chesterfield Post, "There was only Chesterfield with something to celebrate" and so, Oliver set his sights on a trip to the B2net and the last game against Gillingham on May 7th.

The result was a one off painting showing the Chesterfield logo, the crooked Spire, with ticker tape falling from the sky with the names of 27 Players & Manager from this season tumbling down in honour of the boys that achieved promotion. The names are the actual autographs of the players & signed within an hour of the final whistle, at the B2net.



Oliver had been to Saltergate but never to the b2net and waited outside where he collected all the player's autographs as they left the ground that day (pictured above). There was one signature however that proved more difficult. John Sheridan was understandably busy inside the stadium but, after attracting attention outside the ground, Oliver was invited inside and the manager signed the painting too in the hospitality suite.

The unique abstract painting is now for sale this weekend at the Great Sheffield Art Show with all funds raised resulting in further funds to add to the other planned Art-a-graph projects over the next 12 months, and a percentage of the overall profits being donated to Oliver's two chosen Charities, The Paul Hunter Foundation and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity as part of the Volunteering / Fundraising section of his Duke of Edinburgh Gold.

These charities were chosen as Oliver explained, "Because these charities mean a lot to me as my Grandad died of cancer and Paul Hunter was an amazing talented snooker player - taken from us too soon and are both very much missed."

Oliver has been nominated for the Sheffield Young Artist of the Year Award at the Sheffield Celebration of Success 2011 at the Sheffield City Hall - the event is being held on Thursday (7th July) evening.
 
He also has a painting on show at the 29th Derbyshire Open Art Competition being held at Buxton Museum & Art Gallery. This runs from June 25th to September 2nd. The theme of the entries had to relate to Derbyshire, therefore Oliver's piece is called: 'Chesterfield by Night'.

Oliver and his family are also hoping that a limited number of prints may be available in due course.



This 'Art-a-graphs' Abstract painting is to form part of the exhibition at;

The 24th Great Sheffield Art Show -
8th - 10th of July 2011 - The largest Art Show in the North.

Venue:
The Octagon Centre, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TQ

Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm
Free Car Park Sat / Sun

Entry:
Adults £4.50
Concessions £4.00
Free to Children under 16

Contact details:
Tel: 0114-2259989 {Head Office} 
Website: www.gsas.co.uk and www.world-snooker-sheffield.co.uk

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