Imperial Health Charity is pleased to present this collection of works by members of the monthly Art & Wellbeing Group.
This programme, managed by the Charity arts team, has been running for many years and is one of our most popular group workshops. The workshops are open to any present or recent patients of Imperial College Healthcare hospitals, as well as NHS Staff. Sessions take place on the second Saturday of every month at Kindred Studios, a creative hub based in Shepherd's Bush.
The sessions are run by artist Marenka Gabeler, who shares a particular artist or artwork at the start, and then runs a relaxed and creative class in response. The participants are free to develop their work in whatever way they see fit, and this openness has resulted in the broad breadth of styles and ideas you see here.
Participant have been asked two questions, the answers to which are displayed throughout the exhibition: What does creativity mean to you? What brings you to the monthly sessions, and how long have you been a part of the group? One of the responses is reproduced below, giving an insight into the value of the Art & Wellbeing Group, and the positive impact being creative can have on one's daily life.
We would like to thank Marenka Gabeler, as well all of the participants for kindly loaning their artwork for the duration of this show
What does creativity mean to you?
After my diagnosis of cancer ten years ago many emotions arose, some expected, others unexpected. I took advantage of there being a weekly art group at a Cancer Centre led by a professional artist.
When involved in being creative my mind ceases to wander so much and isn’t troubled by unwanted thoughts. I am in the present moment. At times my fears and worries have found expression in the art and this has proved helpful. It allows me to recognise these feelings, especially when words fail or when I have not felt able to express them to others.
At times being creative has simply been fun. There is joy in the use of brush and paint or the tactile feel of the clay. Freedom!
It is really helpful and therapeutic to be part of a group which is led. My mind can go blank and I benefit from being given a prompt. Participating in a led class also means I have ventured into being creative in new ways, such as clay modelling, collage and using different media.
Being with others is of benefit and I enjoy seeing the creativity of others. Feeling safe in the group has helped me not to worry when the mind does go blank—help is at hand!—or when I feel the result is, well, ‘rubbish’. I have relaxed about my ongoing tremor. Do lines really need to be straight?
