Exhibition Showcases Local Artists’ Work on Mental Illness, Suicide and Self Harm
Following a recent poster campaign organised as part of the Suicide Prevention Under-served Communities group, partners across Denbighshire and the local community came together along to support talented Rhyl artists, Freya Rees, 19 and Kenny Bond, 58. Their artwork formed part of a thought-provoking exhibition of original pieces, designed to inspire conversations around the importance of mental health awareness.
With themes including mental illness, suicide and self-harm, the artists combined their powerful work to create an exhibition entitled ‘Build a Path’, which took place at Rhyl’s iCAN Centre on 16th March.
Both artists selected powerful pieces of their work, which best reflected the themes of mental health, recovery, and accessing support, as well as their personal lived experiences.
A new piece of Freya’s inspirational artwork was designed to represent the ‘Build a Path’ campaign, alongside the slogan, ‘when life throws bricks, build a path’.
Rhyl-based artist Freya has been producing bold and colourful artwork for several years, documenting her overcoming homelessness and living with a chronic illness. She draws inspiration and energy from the opportunity to uplift and inspire others with her art. Many of her pieces have been commissioned by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for use in their children’s services. With others being used by CAHMs to promote support for young people struggling with mental ill health.
“I was incredibly proud to be asked to work on this piece for the Rhyl Suicide Prevention poster campaign. There is support out there and hopefully this campaign will help more people understand where to turn if they need help.”
Kenny’s artwork documents his personal struggles with mental illness and illustrates that he has overcome a very dark time in his life, to come out into a period of reflection and change. All of Kenny’s art is taken using an iPhone 7, which he explains has been pivotal to his creative process.
“All my work represents mental health in some way; grief, love, loss, sadness, depression.
“I got to a point where I was so lost that I didn’t recognise myself; I stopped living and was just existing. But through my art I am becoming more confident to talk about it, and I hope that by doing so, I can help someone else who is struggling with their mental health.”
“The Build a Path event gave the opportunity for the local community to come together and benefit from the creativity of our featured artists. The aim was to raise awareness and create connection; opening-up conversations around mental health is imperative to break down stigma and show people that they are not alone.
“We are so grateful to Freya and Kenny for courageously sharing their art and their journeys. It was an incredibly moving and thought-provoking exhibition.”
