AN exhibition war blinded veterans' self-portrait sculptures has gone on show to the public at a Glasgow museum.

The Seeing Through Sculptures event at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum featured five self-portrait busts – made by veterans with visual impairment who are supported by Scottish War Blinded.

The clay sculptures, which show amazing likenesses to their creators, were made over eight sessions, led by artist Jason Davis at Scottish War Blinded’s Hawkhead Centre in Paisley.

The veterans attended the museum and proudly showed their work to visitors of all ages, explaining how they created the beautiful pieces.

And many youngsters also got stuck into the event’s ‘Eye Challenge’ – clay model making while wearing simulation spectacles which simulate sight loss.

Robert White, 88, from Paisley, is one of the veterans who had his sculpture on display.

Robert, who has no central vision, said: “I was ecstatic to see the sculptures on display. I surprised myself, even while I was making my sculpture. The clay was quite easy to work with, I found it very interesting.”

Another of the veterans, David Martin, 35, from Barrhead, who has sight in only one eye, said: “It’s lovely – at last the heads have been put on display.

“I can’t believe how good they are. Making my sculpture was a great experience, just seeing the transformation from a big wad of clay. The things we get to do at the Hawkhead Centre are fantastic.”

And veteran Christina Johnson, 89, who has sight loss as a result of macular degeneration, added: “You never know who maybe can't see properly, so it makes a difference to tell people what it's like."

Hawkhead Centre Manager, Sally Ross, explained the event was a special day for the veterans.

Sally said: “The veterans have been waiting for this for quite some time. It’s a big moment to get something you’ve made into the Kelvingrove Museum. It’s a great sense of achievement for the veterans.

“Getting to demonstrate the equipment Scottish War Blinded can provide to veterans with sight loss and tell people more about what we do at the Hawkhead Centre has also really worked well.”