The Twisted Rose and other Lives

I have been working with the Institute of Mental Health in Nottingham for six months to create a series of paintings that will help people to understand post-traumatic stress. Each painting is based on a personal account of the impact of trauma on someone’s life. The paintings show how people can grow during their recovery, show the feelings that trauma can create.

The first exhibition of paintings will be exhibited at the IMH in Nottingham from 10th October until 4th March 2019, before moving to Coventry, Newcastle and Lancaster, and maybe more venues.

This work will also feed into the IMH’s “Arts and Trauma project”. This will provide a multi-disciplinary and creative platform to raise awareness, and new knowledge, on issues surrounding trauma. Investigating a wide range of trauma, from birth to war trauma, this is a rare opportunity to reflect and gain new insights on trauma studies and the therapeutic role of the arts.

The Project is supported by Arts Council England and the IMH

Examples of paintings from the exhibition:

“Twisted Rose” was inspired by “Mac” story. He suffered childhood abuse, and after therapy describes himself as feeling like a twisted rose, growing out of the dark into the light, but still carrying the scars of his past.

“Burning Brighter” tells Danny’s story. His recovery from PTSD inspired his song writing. As he says: “The illness that had smashed me to pieces, the horror that had me fighting for air, isolated and trapped behind an ice wall now enabled me to see the world with growing clarity … Colours burned brighter, orchestras played in my head. I felt so alive … Songs poured out of me”. Danny McNamara is lead singer of the band Embrace.