Outside In

I developed schizophrenia at the age of 19, after experimenting with LSD (acid) and studying the wrong subject at University, well, it was the late 60’s.  I was very into art at school, but left it for other things.  During my second stay in mental hospital at the age of 25, I was a very regular attendee at the art therapy unit where I reconnected with art, never to part company again, indeed this was the major contribution to my recovery.  Later, I returned to College to study my childhood ambition, Architecture, gaining an Honours Degree and Post Graduate Diploma, and working in this profession.  At the age of 61 (2010), I am now medically retired.

I presently am involved with CentrePieces, my local mental health art group and my local mental health day centre where I help facilitate a hearing voices group.  I am a member of Mensa, the high IQ society, and also write.  Survivors Poetry have brought out a book of my poems.  I recently won the Bill Pringle award for Art, from Rethink, the national mental health organisation.  All of this however, is secondary to my major passion, which is my quest for the Absolute.