Artistic pensioner puts underwear on show

Another piece of shock art is being unveiled this weekend in England – but this time it is by a 72-year-old grandmother.

Mary Gee is one of the youngest of the 12 artists from across the country to show their work at a new exhibition in London.

The artists in the show, Will & Testament, range from the age of 70 to 95.

Mrs Gee, from London, has knitted woollen underwear in the form of genitalia for the display.

Other contributors include Colin Duffield, 83, from Sheffield, who has painted nightclub boss Peter Stringfellow, and Sid Simmonds, a 74-year-old blind man, who paints scenes from his youth from memory.

The artists range from a former infant teacher, poster maker, and food salesman to a Second World War veteran with the Royal Fusiliers.

The outdoor exhibition, which is sponsored by PlayStation, follows a national search through Britain's care homes and tea rooms for contributors.

The four-week show, which is supported by Help The Aged, opens in London’s Soho Square on Sunday.

A PlayStation 2 spokesman said: “Their work will change the way you look at your grandmother and grandfather.”

Help The Aged national events manager Richard Johnson said: “Will & Testament will shorten the division between art and age and hopefully act as a catalyst to change society’s perception of age.”