Outside In

My work is a very organic way of expressing myself.   I mainly choose the colours as I work although I do like to use a combination of colours that I think work well together.

I haven’t really been interested in art, or been able to explore it until I became ill. It was like a new part of my mind opened up to myself. I have not had any training in art; I have developed my style through exploration. Art has been a way of managing my feelings. When there were times when I was at the height of anxiety I would immerse myself in making a picture and all the feelings I felt that I was unable to express in any other way seem to find a voice and I would find that my anxiety subsided. Anything to get through the day! Up to the time I became ill, music was my only creative outlet.

I started my artistic journey when I had my second breakdown. I was referred to day treatment services provided by the NHS where there were a range of things I could participate in; clay work, painting, drawing and memory games, to help with concentration. They were the first people that helped me realise that I was not alone, and that there were things out there that could help me. But the main thing was that it helped me accept my problem. No one else in my life at that time could tolerate what was happening in my head let alone me! Therapeutic art was a very helpful way of mirroring and discovering what was going on in my mind and it became a way of identifying with myself. This method was very useful to me. I coped with life pretty much for another year until my long-term partner at the time could no longer cope with my illness and me. This took away all the stability in my life and I then became ill with another breakdown. When my nurse saw how useful art was for me she got me a place at Creative Response.

Creative Response is an arts related charity that supports people suffering with mental health issues. I was given the opportunity to express myself through art in a nurturing, supportive environment. I was encouraged to see art in a more open setting, not looking as deeply at why I chose the colour I chose or the feelings behind it, but by understanding that this helped me make a decision about what colour I chose and to `go with the flow` of what ever materialised. This gave me the opportunity to explore different ideas and gradually over time develop a style that is unique to me. Being able to explore art in this very relaxed way helped me to find my own path of expression and build my confidence in art.

My work is abstract with very powerful colour and media; 2D works that vary from coloured pencil, ribbon and yarn to sculptures in Breezeblock, plaster and ribbon.

I won an award in June 2009 at the open art competition for marginalised artists, Outside In, organised and hosted by Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. Part of the prize was an opportunity to share my art with a wider audience in the prestigious Pallant House Art Gallery. Having the opportunity to hold an exhibition here has encouraged me to venture into new mediums and face new challenges in expressing myself through art. Working with casting resin, and testing the limitations of what I can do with different mediums.   

www.kweieden.co.uk