Launching on World Mental Health Day, the Arts and Minds Network is celebrating its 19th anniversary with its ‘Spotlight’ art exhibition.
Aiming to challenge the stigma experienced by people with mental health challenges, the show is a celebration of wellbeing and mental health and explores the links between creativity and mental health.
The exhibition will feature work by 50 Arts and Minds members, many of them undiscovered local artists, and will be a timely reminder of the important part creativity can play in people’s wellbeing and recovery.
The show is a rich mix of mediums, styles, and ideas and includes work such as the photograph of ‘Burley Park Beach’ featured above.
Fe says of her work: “There are multiple reasons why I love (the now, sadly demolished) mural Burley Beach. The main one was its ability to trigger, ignite and inspire people’s natural creativity.”
One of the featured artists Linda Boyles, Arts and Minds Network Development Manager, said: “We never imagined when we started the exhibition 19 years ago that it would grow to be such a well-loved and anticipated feature of Leeds cultural calendar.
“Arts and Minds Network has helped chip away at the stigma of mental illness by showcasing a wealth of undiscovered talent and demonstrating how creativity can help people recover. We are thrilled to be celebrating the exhibition’s 19th anniversary.”
She also introduces the exhibition with some pertinent questions: “What are mental health issues? What is ‘wellbeing’? What defines ‘normal’? In today’s diverse society, there is no such thing as normal.
“We all have our idiosyncrasies and that’s what makes us human, so please, view this show that takes a healthy look at mental health. It’s positive, perky and proud. Think Leeds, with glitter!”
According to The World Health Organisation, over one in four people will experience a mental health disorder globally. Since the 2020 covid pandemic, poor mental health has been on the rise. With current life-changing events, there has never been a better time to raise the profile of these issues.