Highlighting Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 10-27 October 2024
A collective exhibition that is photographically dedicated to portraying the subject of mental health has opened at Skypark, that aims to encourage anyone struggling with their own mental health to ask for help.
‘Mind the Gap’ is a collective body of work by Ross Samson and Anastazia Hart and each participant has drawn on their personal experiences. The exhibition features images of model Mia Hope Fawsitt, who portrays her personal struggle living with mental health issues and aims to raise awareness of how to ask for support.
The exhibition is part of The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) Home | Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (mhfestival.com) that returns from 10 – 27 October 2024, exploring the theme of ‘In/Visible’.
Now in its 18th year, the annual festival is led by the Mental Health Foundation. It takes place across Scotland and covers all art forms. SMHAF aims to provide a platform for everyone to create and share art inspired by mental health and explore how the arts and creativity can support people to live mentally healthier lives.
Ross Samson’s journey began over 10 years ago when he turned to photography as a means to manage stress. Ross said: “There has been much about the positive role that photography can play in mindfulness and improving mental health. I should know, having returned to photography a decade ago to try to reduce work-related stress. Taking the theme of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, we are seeking to Make the Invisible Visible and that includes holding therapeutic workshops for anyone that is living with mental health issues. It is no easy task for photographers to photograph the invisible! I won’t say that we hope you enjoy the exhibition. We do hope that you find something in it that touches you.”
Skypark’s Strategic Lettings Advisor, Angela Higgins of Resonance Capital, added: “We are great supporters of our vibrant arts scene and are pleased to be able to offer artists the chance to exhibit their work by donating exhibition space. We are proud to host ‘Mind the Gap’ and hope that it will encourage conversations and understanding around mental health”.
‘Mind the Gap’ will hold public workshops on Mondays at Skypark at 11am from 16th September and throughout October. For more details and to book, visit the project’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/617259562418703).
To find out more on exhibiting at Skypark ‘s gallery space please contact Loraine@skypark-glasgow.com
