Dignity in Mental Health One of the functions of the artist is to communicate, to challenge. The WMHD Art exhibition offers an opportunity to challenge the stigma that is too often associated with mental health problems. The exhibition demands we see the artist, their work, their talent, their creativity & in doing so provides the viewer with the opportunity to reflect & examine themselves.
1. Emma Karen: ‘I'm Stronger Than You Know’ “This is me, with psychosis. Shows no matter how hard it rains down on you there’s still some colour that shines through this dark existence.” 2. Anastasia Roberts: ‘Reflection’ “Anastasia Roberts lives in Speke, Liverpool. She was sectioned in November 2014. Currently she is under Mossley Hill Hospital on medication for psychosis and depression.” 3. Ciara Dineen: ‘Untitled’ “Representing the impossible pursuit of perfectionism involved in my OCD, this drawing also shows the musician in me. My disorder won’t define who I am.” 4. Angie Horgne: ‘Cecil’ “I decided to paint a picture of Cecil because I feel passionate about animals and this awful event touched me deeply.” 5. Michelle McMillan: ‘Batik’ “Rediscovering my love of art has given me respite from myself, freedom from dark thoughts and it has brought colour into my life.” 6. Sue Mullins: ‘A Quiet Moment’ “Creative Alternatives means for the first time in a long time I felt acceptance, friendship and an opportunity to express my feelings through creative projects. 7. Sue Munro: ‘Mandala’ “I used a wide range of media to create a sensory experience for the viewer.” 8. Jennifer Wishart: ‘The Other Me’ “Art is my escape, a way of exploring the rubbish that fills my head and cleaning my brain. It’s as vital as eating, drinking, sleeping ... breathing.” 9. Patrick O’Rourke: ‘Meat’ “The work is a combination of spray paint, pastel and charcoal. The subject matter is Fiona Wright, a Sydney poet.” 10. Service users, Broadoak Unit, Mersey Care NHS Trust: ‘Nine Squares’ 11.Val Vandis: ‘Untitled’ “I find this way to be very therapeutic and enjoyable, it pleases me when others find pleasure and inspiration from my works of art.”
12. Amanda Jane Earley & Mary Seacole House Art Group: ‘Courage’ • Mum - Remembering passing • Escalators - Overcoming anxiety • Titanic - Bravery • A glass half full - Optimism • Angel - Guardian • Fire-fighters hat - selflessness • Book - Knowledge • Sports person - Strength • Lion - Fearless • Hands - Friendship • Pink Ribbon - Fighting cancer • Heart - Tough love 13. Chris Edwards: ‘Garden Leaves’ “Illustrator/Image Maker/Artist from Liverpool. Practising a mixed media of techniques that results in the final image making process of collage.” 14. Alison Little “Alison Little is a North West based artist who works across the creative sector, her work encompasses the subject of mental health and the use of found material.” 15. Pamela Holstein: ‘Dementia’ “‘Dementia’, represented by the monster, wreaks havoc not just on the sufferer but also their family, turning a once happy family home into hell.” 16. Phill McKenna: ‘The Other Me’ 17. Deb Palmer: ‘Lucy’, based on my great aunt who ended her days in an asylum. “I began painting when a patient in Broadoak Unit. It takes me to another place away from my illness.” 18. Rosamund Smears ‘Scamera’ “I graduated from Goldsmiths when I was 24. (I’m now 53). I have Aspergers syndrome. I have had paranoia, depression and anxiety since childhood.” 19. Jazamin Sinclair “I am a multidisciplinary artist living & working in Liverpool. I was diagnised with a psychotic episode, depression & anxiety in 2002.”
We would like to thank: The Singh Twins for launching the exhibition & Our art catalogue sponsors Baltic Creative C.I.C. Exhibition curation & catalogue design: Jazamin Sinclair