About this Event
Join us on 26th November at the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham for Testimonies of Personal Growth and Recovery told in Art and Words.
This event comprises the opening of the new exhibition of paintings by Andy Farr and powerful personal stories from the people featured in the paintings.
The Art
Leading the event is Andy Farr, a Midlands-based artist and storyteller known for his ability to express deeply emotional and personal journeys through his art. Andy started using art to work through his own challenging life story and now he uses art to help others with their own healing. His latest project, Being Seen, is a poignant collection of paintings based on dialogues with individuals who have faced trauma. Each piece reflects their stories of recovery, as Andy translates their emotions into visual form. Through this body of work, he continues his mission of using art to heal and to make the unseen, seen.
Being Seen follows earlier moving exhibitions, including The Twisted Rose & Other Lives, and Portraits of Isolation both collaborations with With-You and the IMH.
The Words
For the first time alongside the art, the event will feature the voices behind the paintings. Nine speakers, whose personal stories informed Andy’s work, will share their experiences of recovery. Their stories range from engaging with talking therapies, mindfulness, and creative expression to finding solace in community, nature, and self-discovery. Together, they represent diverse pathways to reclaiming well-being after trauma, offering powerful messages of hope and empowerment. They will talk about the role this project has played in their journey of healing, and the importance of truly being seen.
This event promises to be a powerful experience, blending art and personal storytelling to shine a light on recovery and resilience.
The Collaborations
Andy has worked closely with several organisations to bring this collection to life.
His association with With-you Consultancy, an organisation specialising in peer support and peer-based approaches, stretches back over five years to Andy’s The Twisted Rose & Other Lives exhibition.
DayOne Trauma Support help anyone affected by major physical trauma rebuild their life. From day one, for as long as it takes.
Chairing the event is Heike Bartel, an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham with a special interest in the study of interdisciplinary narratives of illness, health and recovery.
Our hosts are the Institute of Mental Health, a unique partnership between Nottingham Healthcare Foundation Trust and the University of Nottingham, bringing together healthcare staff and academics to lead mental health research designed to improve diagnosis, treatment and care.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham Innovation Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
