May-June 2023
GALLERY 1 – Edinburgh Palette, St Margaret’s House, London Road, Edinburgh
This exhibition brought together art works made by people who attend our ‘Room for Art’ workshops. Our Room for Art programme offers weekly creative workshops which aim to improve heath and wellbeing. The artworks were exhibited alongside pieces from our collection of contemporary art. These additional artworks were selected by a group of workshop participants and volunteers in discussion with our curator Margaret McCormick. This exhibition explores the creative mind and how as artists we use self expression and image making to help with mental health challenges.
Creative Minds – Collaborative wall art work
This artwork evolved over the course of the exhibition and asked the viewer:
What can you create?
Art works
Some of these artworks began by using the profile of a face as a starting point. See if you can find the profile in each one?
Chloe
Faces
Lino and ink
What Room for Art means to me:
A place away from my everyday life where I can create and explore; an amazing community of creative minds.
Moses
Rhino and Portrait of a girl
graphite, charcoal
What Room for Art means to me:
The session is a therapy for me. It helps me to focus and build my portfolio and improve my art.
Valerie
Untitled
Lino prints
Lynn
Map Collage
Collage
What Room for Art means to me:
It cheers me up and I like seeing my friends. It’s good to have support and people to talk to.
Gina
I’m happy hope you are happy too…
acrylic paint, pencil, pen, paper and glue
What Room for Art means to me:
It is a special dedicated space (and time) encouraging me to think creatively and work on something that will ultimately give me great pleasure in making it, and also seeing the end result. I enjoy that journey each week and I have now come to realise how important that time is for me. With an at times stressful job as well as some personal health challenges, it makes me cope better and the sessions add depth and colour to my life.
Wilhelmina Barns Graham
Quiet time
Silkscreen print
This artwork from the Art in Healthcare Collection was selected for exhibition by a group of participants and volunteers
Leo
Ocean
Acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
Tuesday mornings in the Portrait Gallery are so inspiring. I love the gentle friendly arty atmosphere, lovely chats, seeing so much interesting art being created around me.
Picasso Sinclair
Mediterranean
Acrylics
What Room for Art means to me:
Extra improving my artistic experience
Leo
Sky
Acrylics
What Room for Art means to me:
Tuesday mornings in the Portrait Gallery are so inspiring. I love the gentle friendly arty atmosphere, lovely chats, seeing so much interesting art being created around me.
Ellen Petal
Calm Noise
Acrylic and Markers
What Room for Art means to me:
Provides me with a pocket of time and a good space for focussing on something for me, something creative. The tutor is always so friendly, welcoming and supportive, which makes a huge difference.
Ellen Petal
Out of Time
Acrylics
What Room for Art means to me:
Provides me with a pocket of time and a good space for focussing on something for me, something creative. The tutor is always so friendly, welcoming and supportive, which makes a huge difference.
Sheila
In Flight
Paper and marbling ink
What Room for Art means to me:
A meet up with friends that takes your mind off things for a couple of hours. I look forward to Mondays.
Fiona Munro
The Embarrassing Phonecall
Felt
This artwork from the Art in Healthcare Collection was selected for exhibition by a group of participants and volunteers.
Ema
Distorted Reflections
Paper, brusho, washi tape, watercolour, acrylic pen, gel pen, wire
hat Room for Art means to me:
The way we see ourselves is often distorted. In the reflection the women are both clearly them and not them. It can take years to truly see ourselves from the past the way others see us but that’s not what we need to see.
Room for Art gives me space to try things I wouldn’t normally do as well as giving me space to socialise at my own pace. It also gives me a day to just enjoy being with no expectations and no limitations.
Debi
Clarity in Confusion
Textile remade fabric piece (various types of reclaimed textiles)
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a very positive place, where I can explore and participate in making art.
It is a safe space.
I absolutely love the fact that the sessions aren’t prescribed and we are encouraged to create art in a medium of our choosing. It allows me to feel free and untethered in my creative thinking. Due to this I find Room for Art and uplifting experience, it allows increased well being and confidence. Room for Art is the highlight of my week!
Marianne
My Strange & Wonderful Mind
Cotton, acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
To have fun and be creative, and concentrate on me.
Stuart
Untitled
Acrylics
Susan
Playing with colour – or how my brain unravels
Dye from wet tissue paper and wool
What Room for Art means to me:
Gives me the time and space to play and be creative, and acts as a positive distraction from day-to-day life, in a friendly and non-judgemental space.
Anna
Lost in the sea of dreams
Mixed media
What Room for Art means to me:
My little creative space in the middle of a busy and hectic week.
Lili
Play
Acrylic, chalk pastels, thin card
What Room for Art means to me:
A space to enjoy doing art in a lovely environment with great people.
Ash
Untitled
Collage
Barbara Z
Strange
Acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
Second chance, challenge, opportunity.
Sandra
San Miguel
Sarah
Volume 2
Acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
A space where I am not defined by my OCD and I can escape form the loudness in my mind.
Being surrounded by people who know what it is like to live with a mental health condition.
Lynn
Harry Potter Scene
Acrylic paint, charcoal and pen
What Room for Art means to me:
cheers me up and I like seeing my friends. It’s good to have support and people to talk to.
Derek
Infinite to the edge
Paint on Canvas
What Room for Art means to me:
A place to bring out my art in the various forms. Images into reality, through the encouragement of your thoughts into artwork.
Jennifer
Creative minds changing faces
Metallic water colours, marbling ink, wool, ink pens
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art helps me be more creative, escape the mental whirlpool, be included, meeting new people.
My piece is about the darkness of mental health when it’s at it’s worst to the lighter when it starts to get easier and better. It’s called ‘creative minds changing faces meaning how with mental health we put on different faces and change as we heal.
M-A
Andrew Cranston
Sketchbook Studies
Mixed media and collage
This artwork from the Art in Healthcare Collection was selected for exhibition by a group of participants and volunteers
Trisha
Untitled
pen and ink
Margaret
Farm House
Watercolour
What Room for Art means to me:
Time for me to be creative – helps me focus.
Kim
Welcome to my brain
Black – ink, paint, crayon / colour – nail varnishes
What Room for Art means to me:
Everything. I’ve got a really colourful brain filled with positivity and hope. In my mental health journey I struggle with the darkness and jumble that clouds my brain. I remind myself the colour and darkness is all part of my brain.
Millie (age 11)
Untitled
Washi tape, pens
What Room for Art means to me:
My piece of art is expressing how my mind feels. Sometimes it feels like a thunderstorm taking over my whole mind; I struggle to see any rainbow at all. I try to remember the is still there somewhere and I will feel better again soon. Art helps me express my feelings.
Christine
Life
Inks and Fine liner
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art gives me the opportunity to express myself and have company as well.
Lindsay
Art from the heart
Printed Fabric, light pulse
What Room for Art means to me:
It’s been a brilliant place for ‘me’ time but also to meet fabulous friends.
The tutors and helpers are amazing and so knowledgeable.
Unknown Artist
Untitled
Pen and ink
Markus
Sorrow, Misery
Pen, pencil, marker
What Room for Art means to me:
It allows for creative freedom, a space to be messy and express anything you keep inside onto paper. Spaces like these are crucial for self-expression unhindered by instruction or planning but with support when needed.
Anita
Friendship
Watercolour and pencil
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is the only place where I get time-out to be myself, surrounded by people who understand how difficult it is to be a carer.
Margaret
Untitled
Watercolour
What Room for Art means to me:
Time for me to be creative – helps me focus.
Catherine
Teddy Bears Picnic
Wool, pencil
What Room for Art means to me:
Somewhere to relax and be creative.
Nancy
Spring
Watercolour paint and marbling
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is my safe haven with friends, while relaxing and doing art.
Agnes
It’s a fish eat fish world out there….
Mixed media collage
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a haven from the world both caring and in general. It is nothing to do with home – it is only for me…
Julia
Heart of Hope
Cardboard box, acrylic paint
What Room for Art means to me:
It is a place of relaxation and inspiration.
Derek
Red, yellow, blue and red with green
Paint on paper
What Room for Art means to me:
A place to do my art with paint on paper, being the foundation for “Art in Action”.
Janet
Birdsong
Acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
The opportunity to express myself and the things that I love with like-minded people.
Ester
Flight from constraints
ink and tissue paper
What Room for Art means to me:
A safe place where I can get inspired and be free to play with material and suspend expectations from my art and leave the picture to become without judgement.
Agnes
Some jellyfish just liked to show off
Mixed media collage
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a haven from the world both caring and in general. It is nothing to do with home – it is only for me…
Janet
Unleashing Childhood
Watercolour
What Room for Art means to me:
Escape, expression, communication, self-reflection, joy.
Michael
Psychedelic painting
Acrylic paint
What Room for Art means to me:
Relaxing and enjoyable.
Anne
Firefly Forest Glade
Inks, charcoal, lemon juice, soda crystals
hat Room for Art means to me:
A place to explore different artforms in a supportive environment. A place to meet fellow travellers on life’s long and winding road. A place to have space.
Michael
Psychedelic painting
Acrylic paint
What Room for Art means to me:
Relaxing and enjoyable.
Michael
Psychedelic painting
Acrylic paint
What Room for Art means to me:
Relaxing and enjoyable.
Jes
The lady of the lake
Watercolour pencils / charcoal
What Room for Art means to me:
It’s welcoming and inspiring.
Rose
Chick
Acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
A creative space for me to work on my painting
Merlyn
Wanderings
Shoreline finds and much-loved Penguin books
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a welcome resting place for me. The door behind is closed and our room is there for me to gently settle with cups of tea and to create and connect alongside others in the group.
Merlyn
‘Kate’s China Finds’
Shoreline finds and much-loved Penguin books
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a welcome resting place for me. The door behind is closed and our room is there for me to gently settle with cups of tea and to create and connect alongside others in the group.
John Galloway
46 Discarded Objects
This artwork from the Art in Healthcare Collection was selected for exhibition by a group of participants and volunteers.
Joan
Neurological Art
Pens, felt tip pens and colour pencil
What Room for Art means to me:
Meeting other people who enjoy art, making new friendships and achieving goals.
Agnes
Some fish are stunningly beautiful but others just have to wear lots of makeup
Mixed media collage
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a haven from the world both caring and in general. It is nothing to do with home – it is only for me…
Colin Thoms
Abstract Composition
This artwork from the Art in Healthcare Collection was selected for exhibition by a group of participants and volunteers.
Agnes
Whiskers can make or break the look on a fishface
Mixed media collage
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is a haven from the world both caring and in general. It is nothing to do with home – it is only for me…
Sandra
Flower Hidden
Acrylics
What Room for Art means to me:
It is my space to create and not think about the problems.
Mac
Two’s company
Recycled David Bailey exhibition posters
What Room for Art means to me:
Originally, I didn’t know what ‘art ‘ I’d make.
I’ve found collage is what I love making, cutting up posters.
Thanks for the space and support.
Mac
Mac
Bladerunner Lichtenstein
Recycled National Galleries exhibition posters, digital printing
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for art is a lifeline in many ways and making art in a great group gets me out the house every week.
I’m autistic ADHD semi – prof recluse. I only make this in the art classes.
Thank you
Mac
Ursula
Dandelion head
Lino print, indian ink, acrylic
What Room for Art means to me:
Making room for art allows time to pause, to reflect, to play and work through ideas.
I get a huge sense of wellbeing through making.
Amanda
Shadow
Pen drawing
What Room for Art means to me:
Room for Art is somewhere for myself to relax and be able to draw.
Angela
Beauty in Brokenness
Paper collage
What Room for Art means to me:
Jane Hyslop
Old Road New Road
This artwork from the Art in Healthcare Collection was selected for exhibition by a group of participants and volunteers.
Sally
Untitled
Oil bar, oil pastel, handmade tools
What Room for Art means to me:
It’s a wonderful space for inspiration and connection – I always leave with ideas.
Chloe
Fragments
Lino and ink
What Room for Art means to me:
It’s a sanctuary that has been an enormous help to my mental wellbeing – I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.
Majid
Woman, life, freedom
Paper and paper mâché
What Room for Art means to me:
A creative mind is a free mind. Oppressed women in Iran dream of freedom. In their dreams, they are free. In their dreams, they can live.
Judith
Pull your own strings!
Cloth and nylon thread
What Room for Art means to me:
It is a pleasure to work with such an amazing group of artists. Their works are an inspiration.
Dan
The Dimming Day (Black Light)
Mixed media
What Room for Art means to me:
Creativity is about process and rehabilitation. Reflecting on our planetary endarkenment.
Dan
Black Light (The Dimming of the Day)
Mixed media
What Room for Art means to me:
Creativity is about process and rehabilitation. Thinking about the dualities present in all things.
21 August 2023 by Ursula Bevan Hunter