University students have collaborated with service users to create an art exhibition which shows what it means to be human.
Service users and staff from Guild Lodge Forensic Hospital in Whittingham and the new Wesham Rehabilitation Unit have once again come together to collaborate with students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for the free art exhibition.
This is the third time the Being Human Exhibition has been held and the first-year counselling and psychotherapy students worked hard to create pieces that represent their individuality and opinions of what it means to be human.
The project explored identity and what being human really means, with the pieces of art reflecting each of the participants’ personal journeys, challenges and inspirations going through life.
The exhibition at UCLan’s PR1 Gallery opened with a touching speech by Iain. H Williams professional artist, who said: “There is a crack in everything and that is how the light gets in and those cracks and shimmers of light are what give us our identities and uniqueness”.
He added: “What a wonderful way to express that by having an event like this and thank you to those who had the courage to create and put themselves forward”.
Mark Love, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist and artist from Guild Lodge as part of the opening speech made reference to how service users can just be seen as “service users” and this is their prime identity. Art enables individuals to challenge this and gives them a new role, as well as allowing conversations that challenge mental health stigma.
The Being Human module was introduced to the counselling and psychotherapy course 12 years ago to encourage students to find new ways of expressing themselves and exploring mental health.
A service user from Wesham Rehab Centre used a technique called pyrography, or wood burning, to create a nature inspired piece of art that shows the magic and spirit of nature.
He said: “Wood burning was completely new to me and I found the whole process to be very therapeutic. I was able to lose myself in my artwork and express my feelings in a new way. I’m really pleased with how my work turned out and it’s great to see it on display in an exhibition.”
The Being Human exhibition is open to the public until April 14 at UCLan’s PR1 Gallery. It can be found in UCLan’s Victoria Building on Adelphi Street.
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