For the first time artwork from people across Oxfordshire with mental health problems will be showcased at an exhibition at the Warneford Hospital.
“Colour My World” is an Oxfordshire art project funded by National Institute of Mental Health in England (NIMHE) and organised by Oxford Survivors, with support from Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust.
Over the last 18 months local artist Graham Woodall has worked at five mental healthcare venues across the county.
At each site people have worked with one specific colour to create free-standing frames and the exhibition brings together for the first time all five frames.
Artist Graham Woodall said: “Working with people who had experienced mental health problems was an incredible positive experience for me. Having been a school art teacher for many years, Colour My World presented a unique opportunity for me to share skills and ideas with adults. The response was brilliant. So much creative thought and activity was recorded. Many people found that they could make art and really enjoy the moment”
Alice Hicks, “Colour My World” coordinator and mental health service user says: “The response from the Trust to this project has been particularly positive and everyone has gone out of their way to be tremendously supportive and encouraging.
“We feel very excited that is the Warneford site that has been offered for this exhibition. We wanted to set up a project that would reach people right across the county who, because of their mental health needs, can feel isolated and often don’t always have the opportunity to get involved in community activities.”
Steven Spiers, “Colour My World” Coordinator, says: “The nature of mental illness means sometimes people’s self-esteem is shattered, so it’s been incredible to watch how, through art, people have been able to build their confidence. I think people will agree when they come to the exhibition and see how creative the art work is, that the project has been hugely successful.”
The exhibition features the art sessions that were run in Banbury, Oxford, Witney and South-west Oxfordshire
Published: 18 May 2005