Bethlem Gallery

To mark World Mental Health Day 2017 Bethlem Gallery Artist Kim has written a poem.    Yesterday was painful But also beautiful Too unbearable Also bliss You see a summer falls to winter, There are transitional seasons But it’s the cold and the hot days you remember It’s world mental health day! I’ve been mentally… Read more »

A RE:CREATE Psychiatry project questioning notions of resilience in the therapeutic encounter. The aim of this project is to provide a platform for unheard and marginalised voices in mental health services and connect them to a wider community. To start a conversation between patients on SLaM Wards and Service Users in the Community at The… Read more »

Join us at the Bethlem Gallery this summer for some groundbreaking new theatre. Today’s lesson is about love, heartbreak and The Little Mermaid. Chris Woodley’s autobiographical solo show The Soft Subject (A Love Story) invites us back into the classroom to learn about loss, survival, and Brazil nuts! In this highly-energetic, pop-fuelled, heart-on-the-sleeve account, Woodley… Read more »

Celebrate our 20th birthday in style and join in on any of our exciting events this summer…   Project ALCHEMY Saturday 1 July 3 – 5pm Ismail Ali (Project ALCHEMY) will install a combined laboratory & theatre activating our limited edition anniversary mugs. Apply special formulae & technical process. Inject infusiasm. Create hot/cold brewed solutions… Read more »

  Join us for workshops and events in June with artist Beth Hopkins as part of her exhibition Traces. Lost and found: Book making workshop 3 June, 10am – 12pm Join artist Beth Hopkins to make a concertina book around the theme of lost and found, or objects left behind. Bring an object you have… Read more »

Saturday 6th May 1-3pm Bethlem Gallery Join us for a cup of tea and a round table debate with The Artist Taxi Driver to explore his distinct multidisciplinary art practice that includes performance, video, painting, critical debate and interventions into the media.   You can view The Artist Taxi Driver’s videos here and some of his… Read more »

Come and celebrate springtime and join us for our egg decorating workshop. Draw, paint, collage, mixed media. All ages welcome. 7 April, 10am – 12pm Book here

Join us for an artists’ self-publishing workshop as part of the exhibition Thinking Society: Art and Social Psychiatry A workshop exploring combinations of image and text. Make your perspective on the world public! Saturday 1 April 2 – 5pm Book here

Sat Feb 4, 1 – 5pm We are making an alternative archive. Join us on Saturday 4 February 1 – 5pm. Bring your own images of nursing/care or work with our collection. Drop-in collage activity – all welcome.

If you haven’t seen the Wellcome Collection’s Bedlam: Asylum and Beyond don’t forget to catch it this week! It’s on until 15 January. We would like to extend a big thank you to the Wellcome team for their support and generosity. It’s been a real privilege for the Bethlem Gallery and Museum to collaborate with the Wellcome… Read more »

14 December, 11am – 1pm Join us at Bethlem Gallery for a collaborative Christmas workshop. This workshop gives you the chance to contribute to the creation of a festive garland that will be displayed on the Bethlem Royal Hospital grounds over the festive period. You will be sharing the experience with a range of people who will… Read more »

3 December, 2 – 4pm   Join us at Bethlem Gallery for a seasonal session of wreath making, using materials provided by the stunning grounds of Bethlem Royal Hospital. Led by artist Matthew, who will be on hand to offer his expertise in how to make your wreath look perfect, this 2 hour DIY workshop… Read more »

OPEN WORKSHOP Saturday 26th November, 11.00 – 15.30 Bethlem Royal Hospital. SEMINAR DISCUSSION Thursday 1st December, 17.30 – 20.00 Studio 288, Goldsmiths College, Art Education Building, 288 New Cross Rd. Details of workshop & speakers: http://bethlemartstudio.weebly.com/work-with-me-the-ethics-of-collaboration.html To book tickets, please visit our Eventbrite page: Open Workshop Seminar Discussion Bethlem Salon #7 is a collaboration between the Bethlem Gallery… Read more »

The ‘Raving’ and ‘Melancholy’ Debates 26th October, 4.30-7pm Curated by Dr Deji Ayonrinde, Consultant Psychiatrist Join us for the inaugural event in a specially curated programme of debates designed to promote active dialogue about national and global issues relevant to mental health, the arts and culture within the world’s oldest psychiatric institution, the Bethlem Royal… Read more »

You are warmly invited to an informal workshop at the Bethlem to talk about images of nursing and the ‘art’ of care. We are particularly interested in hearing the perspectives of nurses who used to work in mental health settings, but all are welcome!   Friday 30th September, 4-6pm The Bethlem Gallery Bethlem Royal Hospital Monks Orchard… Read more »

Join us for talks, walks, workshops and artistic encounters this Autumn SPACE IN MIND – FREE A three-day symposium exploring the intersections of art, architecture, psychiatry and geography DAY 1: ASYLUM TOPOGRAPHIES Thursday 22nd September, 16.30 – 20.00 DAY 2: SITE – BODY – VOICE Friday 23rd September, 16.30 – 20.00 DAY 3: CONTESTED SITES… Read more »

Bedlam: Asylum and Beyond opens this week at the Wellcome Collection 15 September 2016 – 15 January 2017   Follow the rise and fall of the mental asylum and explore how it has shaped the complex landscape of mental health today. Reimagine the institution, informed by the experiences of the patients, doctors, artists and reformers who… Read more »

What was here before? Due to popular demand we will be repeating our history walk every last Saturday of the month come rain or shine. Join us for a walk around the stunning grounds of the Bethlem Royal Hospital with artist Matthew in collaboration with the Bethlem Museum of the Mind. On this walk we… Read more »

‘‘I was very pleased to find out that I was exhibiting at the Bethlem Gallery. This last decade I have been concentrating with work of forms and colours. My poetry expresses hard times in the past and optimistic views of the future. I feel that now I look forward in colour instead of looking at… Read more »

Thursday 11 August 8pm-9:30pm Join Ishpi Blatchley and the Bethlem Wood Library for a bat hunt in the grounds of the Bethlem Royal Hospital where we’ll be using a bat detector to discover the bats of Bethlem. Please bring sturdy footwear and a torch. We will meet in the Bethlem Gallery at 8pm to start the… Read more »

Making Space for Wellbeing An exhibition at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital will run until September including work from Guys and St Thomas’ Charity, Bethlem Gallery, Museum of Life Sciences, The Gordon Museum, The Old Operating Theatre and the Science Gallery. Research shows how being active, giving to others, connecting to people, taking notice of… Read more »

Artist Antonia Attwood is crowdfunding for her excellent and engaging arts and health project Manifestations of the Mind. Have a read of our interview with Antonia and donate towards her Kickstarter. Can you tell us a bit about who you are what you do? I’m Antonia Attwood, an artist filmmaker who makes films about the phenomenology of mental… Read more »

Image: Study for ‘Conversation Points’ by Michaela Ross It’s Creativity and Wellbeing Week across London and the UK, 13 – 19 June. Join us in celebrating the hundreds of events showcasing the impressive variety and quality in the arts and health sector. Creativity and Wellbeing Week is hosted by London Arts and Health Forum, a membership organisation which… Read more »

Join us for walks around the stunning grounds of the Bethlem Royal Hospital with artists Matthew and Sue this summer.   June 25, 12 midday Rhododendron & Fern walk Join us for a walk around the stunning grounds of the Bethlem Royal Hospital with artist Matthew. As well as seeing the rhododendrons and ferns, you… Read more »

Art and ‘crafting the self’ Join us for a discussion event to explore the relationship between making and self -care. ‘This transformation of one’s self by one’s own knowledge is, I think, something rather close to the aesthetic experience. Why should a painter work if he is not transformed by his own painting?’ – Foucault Speakers: Jane Fradley, artist… Read more »

Join Bethlem Gallery maker Mr X at Siobhan Davies Dance Studios for What remains… Anatomy of an Artist: a festival of 10 new works 21 May 2016 | 2pm—9pm 22 May 2016 | 12pm—6pm Day pass £15 / Weekend pass £25 Concessions: Day pass £12 / Weekend pass £20 Booking via info@siobhandavies.com Siobhan Davies Dance and Independent… Read more »

Join us on the 25 May, 16.30 – 17.30, for a presentation and discussion with film makers, staff and patients reflecting on the challenges and rewards of filming within the Forensics Services at Bethlem Royal Hospital, for a documentary due to be aired later this year on Chanel 4. Our guests will include Guy King and… Read more »

Congratulations to our friends and neighbours Bethlem Museum of the Mind for being shortlisted for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund. The Art Fund awards the Museum of the Year prize annually to one outstanding museum, which, in the opinion of the judges, has shown exceptional imagination, innovation and achievement. The prize of £100,000… Read more »

Join artist Jan Arden for a drawing workshop where we’ll learn about some of his working processes and ideas behind his work. Jan will take us through some demonstrations and technical exercises focusing on various techniques of cross-hatching.   Drawing Workshop 1 – Saturday 28th May 11am-12:30pm – BOOK FREE TICKET ONLINE HERE Drawing Workshop… Read more »

Come on a 1-hour walk around the extensive grounds of the Bethlem Royal Hospital to explore the bluebells amongst the woods and relax in the grassy meadows. Artist Matthew will lead this walk and guide us through some simple relaxation techniques as we go. Along the way we will also encounter some of his sculptural… Read more »

This is a new blog which has been set up to showcase the writing of people involved in the Bethlem Gallery be they artists, volunteers, past or current patients. We currently have a writing group open to people who have been part of SLaM services at some point in their lives which takes place on… Read more »

The Bethlem Gallery is very proud to announce that 5 of our fabulous artists are exhibiting in… Radical Craft: Alternative Ways of Making Outside In National 2016 in collaboration with Craftspace 34 international and UK artists who express their creativity unbounded by taught conventions are showing work in Radical Craft: Alternative Ways of Making, a… Read more »

MIRROR by George Harding   12th April to 20th May 2016 Private View 13th April 7-9pm Free Viewing 9am to 4pm Weekdays and 9am to 12 Saturdays   The Ripley Arts centre invites you to the opening of Mirror on the 13th April: an exhibition of recent oil paintings by artist George Harding. His self-portraits, distorted in rippled glass and… Read more »

Writer’s Corner This is a new blog which has been set up to showcase the writing of people involved in the Bethlem Gallery be they artists, volunteers, past or current patients. We currently have a writing group open to people who have been part of SLaM services at some point in their lives which takes… Read more »

Please join us for the exhibition opening this Friday 4 March 4-8pm How my art helped my recovery – Emerging by Sarah Carpenter – an exhibition of photographs in the Maudsley Long Gallery. The Long Gallery, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ – You can find out more about the show and the long gallery here The show… Read more »

Daily Life Ltd’s Public Lightbox Installation LETTING IN THE LIGHT has caused a minor media sensation!!! Bethlem Gallery and Outside In have collaborated with this project and we are very excited that it is getting so much attention and such a positive response. The exhibition is on the street opposite Stratford Library and is lit up 24 hours a… Read more »

Join artist Elena Brebner for a Q&A and a guided tour of her exhibition   Saturday 30 January, 1 – 2pm   Event is free, all welcome!   RSVP to info@bethlemgallery.com

Join us on #BlueMonday, 25 January, 5 – 7pm, to celebrate Letting the Light In a collaborative exhibition with Daily Life Ltd and Outside In. Daily Life Ltd is proud to present this exhibition of work by thirty five artists, illuminating our understanding of the experience of mental distress. Bobby Baker’s pioneering Stratford-based arts and mental health organisation,… Read more »

Season’s greetings from the Bethlem Gallery!  What a year we have had, What a year we have had, we can hardly believe that this time last year we were packing our meagre belongings and preparing ourselves for the most significant year in the life of the gallery to date. The new building has been a… Read more »

Xavier White wishes you seasonal greetings with: The Verrelic Magi, Arrival. Bethlem Royal Hospital’s chapel. Spreading light in the season of good will, bringing in an inspired 2016 of imagination and possibility. Opening Wednesday December 16th with Bethlem Royal Hospital’s Carol Service at 3pm. The Installation progresses until 15th January 2016. Bethlem Chapel | Royal… Read more »

As part of the Bethlem Salon Series join us for a practical workshop, exhibition and discussion event to explore the relationship between making and (co) constructing a sense of self. “This transformation of one’s self by one’s own knowledge is I think, something rather close to the aesthetic experience. Why should a painter work if he is… Read more »

  Dreaming Aloud Sara Haq An exhibition of photographic prints November 2015 – January 2016 Mon-Fri 8.30am – 6.30pm Bromley by Bow Health Centre Reception St Leonard’s Street Bromley by Bow London E3 3BT   www.sarahaq.com www.instagram.com/monkeytreepro   This exhibition was commissioned by Daily Life Ltd (www.dailylifeltd.co.uk) and is supported by the Bromley by Bow… Read more »

Join artists Matthew and Sue on Thursday 17th December for a free Wreath Making Workshop where we will gather our own materials from the incredible woodlands on-site here at the hospital. 11am – 1pm – Gathering materials 2pm – 4pm – Wreath making This is a unique opportunity to explore the grounds under the guidance of… Read more »

“Art is the greatest asset to mental health I have” – Artist Grayson Perry, Patron of Bethlem Gallery and Museum We can’t believe it’s been 8 months in our beautiful new building. Grayson Perry was the guest speaker at the launch party of our new home in March and has subsequently become our patron. His… Read more »

Liz Atkin: Curdled October 20-Dec 20, 2015 UCLA Medical Center & University of Southern California The excitement continues for Gallery artist Liz Atkin as she takes her work all the way to LA! Liz will be sharing her lived experience and recovery through art, speaking next week at UCLA at the LCR Gallery on Monday, Keck School… Read more »

October 19th — 30th (PV: 22nd, 6:30pm – 9pm) The Depot, 38 Upper Clapton Road, London, E5 8BQ Open daily (except Wednesday) 12pm — 6pm “As neuroscience rapidly advances our ability to see both the brain’s ‘trees’ and its vastly intricate and diverse forests, we may find that the most beautiful landscape of all is… Read more »

Bethlem Salon #4: ‘The Institution, Objects and Individual’ Friday, October 9th, 2015 6.00 – 8.00pm   Bethlem Gallery and Museum Bethlem Royal Hospital Monks Orchard Rd Beckenham Kent BR3 3BX   How do people negotiate themselves, the hospital environment and the objects within? Following on from the recent Bethlem Gallery exhibit, ‘Art and the Other’, co-curator Dr… Read more »

Bring it to the table with the Artist Taxi Driver Saturday 3rd October 3pm Bring it to the table with the Artist Taxi Driver and take part in a lively chat on politics, social and current affairs over a cuppa. Free tea and coffee for all participants. The Artist Taxi Driver is an artist, London… Read more »

Join us at the Bethlem Gallery Studio for a free workshop as part of our last exhibition Art and the Other. 11am – 1pm, Saturday 29th August Boundary Objects: A practical workshop facilitated by Michaela Ross and Alana Jelinek. Please bring a personal object, or object you have made for a temporary intervention in the hospital… Read more »

28 August Workshop with Daniel 2-3pm Join artist Daniel for this calming and meditative workshop that takes inspiration from his spiritual geometric artworks. You will explore geometric shapes, lines and bright colours to create organic and playful mandalas. To book your place, please RSVP to info@bethlemgallery.com or visit our Eventbrite page 29 August Outside In:… Read more »

Art and the Other Events Madlove: A Designer Asylum  3.00 – 4.00pm 1st August An artists talk by the vacuum cleaner, in collaboration with Hannah Hull Is it possible to go mad in a positive way? How would you create a safe place in which to do so? If you designed your own asylum, what… Read more »

All Day Join us on Saturday 4 July for fun and frolics in the sun. Enjoy the creative endeavours of the gallery and museum, explore the beautiful hospital grounds, or relax our new deckchairs! Artcakes (see above) & tea made by Sue B. Get them before they’re gone! 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Both The… Read more »

Join us this Saturday 6 June for London Creativity and Wellbeing Week hosted by London Arts in Health Forum   Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2015 is focusing on creativity and mental health. This welcome event is an opportunity to come together at the unique venue of the oldest psychiatric hospital in the world still functioning today. Join us… Read more »

Image: Dr Matthew Patrick, Chief Executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust with artist Grayson Perry giving speeches at Bethlem Gallery and Museum official launch © Camilla Greenwell An extremely exciting first month in our new home drew to a close last week with the spectacular finale of our official launch.   Funders, partners… Read more »

Whilst we have always known how significant our project is in the cultural landscape, we were still unprepared for what was really to come. Thanks to the wonderful press team across both venues and from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM). We have lost count of all the brilliant coverage, but just to… Read more »

Saturday 28 Feb, 3-4pm Please join us at the Bethlem Gallery for the book launch of Luxury of the Dispossessed by poet and artist Dan Duggan, featuring readings from the book followed by a discussion about the role of the arts and writing in the hospital setting, with Dan Duggan, Beth Elliott, Bethlem Gallery Director,… Read more »

In the new year The Bethlem Gallery will have a new home. We will still be on the Bethlem Royal Hospital site but we will share a new, beautiful and resourceful building with Bethlem, Museum of the Mind. The move to the Bethlem Gallery and Museum will secure the unique collections for future generations and enable… Read more »

In November 2014 we were invited to celebrate the 135th anniversary of Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče in Zagreb, Croatia by staging an exhibition in the stunning contemporary gallery space on site. Members of the gallery flew out to the opening to meet and exchange ideas and experiences with the Croatian clinicians and politicians who attended the event…. Read more »

Guardian journalist Gareth Rubin and Bethlem Arts team were given an award at the 2014 Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. Gareth’s film interviewed three Bethlem Artists talking about their work, their recovery and what role art plays in their lives and wellbeing. Artists Dan Duggan, Terence Wilde, and Stephanie Bates enjoyed the proud moment… Read more »