Britain’s top artists rally together for Mind fundraising exhibition

Posted Thursday 8 September 2011

Some of Britain’s foremost contemporary artists are coming together to contribute to Mindful, a new, world-class exhibition exploring the link between mental health and creativity to raise funds for a new Mind creative therapies fund.

Curated by new Mind Ambassador Stuart Semple, Mindful includes works from artists including Jake and Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin, Mat Colishaw and Sebastian Horsley.

Taking place in London’s Old Vic Tunnels from September 22-27, the exhibition will be launched with a gala fundraising dinner at the Imperial War Museum hosted by new Mind President Stephen Fry and his predecessor Lord Melvyn Bragg.

Proceeds from sales of the work will start a new fund for local Minds to provide creative therapies across England and Wales.

The exhibition itself will encourage people to question their own views on, and associations with, mental illness, while helping to break down the stigma and discrimination so often faced by those with a mental health problem.

Stuart, who has an ongoing anxiety disorder himself, understands first-hand the transformative potential of the arts. He says:

The whole point of instigating this fund is to enable others access to the therapeutic potential of creative expression, people who may not have the chance, encouragement, or resources to do so otherwise.

The exhibition, which is free to enter, will be supported by an arts festival held in the Tunnels throughout the week, featuring a comedy night hosted by Jessica Hynes and Miriam Elia, a miniature festival featuring music, theatre and poetry, and a night of short films.

For a full schedule of events and further information including how to get to the venue and book tickets, head to the Mindful website or get the latest updates from Twitter.

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