Magnifying Glass for Hope

‘Critical Hope’, described by Creativity and Wellbeing week- ‘reflects the ability to realistically assess the environment through a lens of equity and justice while also envisioning the possibility of a better future.’

Taking this theme, SHARP gallery will be running a workshop exploring hope and how we observe it and form it.

Participants can either

1. Choose the magnifying glass frame and create on it what they wish to see inside. The frame can then be used as a view finder, honing in on elements of your world with the eye of an artist embodying hope.
2. Choose the magnifying glass centre and create what they wish to change.

The workshop will involve informal discussions and creating art in a relaxed atmosphere.

The workshop will take place on the last day of the Festival of Belonging, an exhibition by Arts Network

Since November 29th 2023, 31 dedicated members of the Arts Network have embarked on a creative journey to interpret and express their personal experiences of belonging, in response to Ibrahim Ishmail’ s evocative poem Belonging.

Their works, presented at SHARP gallery for mental health awareness week and creativity and wellbeing week are thoughtful and captivating responses to the theme. Each canvas is a unique testament to their journey, connected by a gold line that symbolises unity and togetherness.

SHARP gallery was founded in a social inclusion project within South London and Maudsley NHS Trust in 2011, converting a bland conference room into a gallery space. It has exhibited the work of hundreds of artists, many of whom use mental health services. The gallery has transformed the physical environment and the experiences for staff and service users, as well as giving a platform for emerging artists to exhibit. The gallery is based in Blue Star House on Stockwell Road.The ethos of the gallery was devised by a steering group and includes the gallery being the following:

• a safe space
• art focused
• breaking the mould
• being brave
• connecting and bringing people together
• enabling

The gallery is open to anyone who feels art will help with their mental health.

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