Pathways: Unescorted #12

Download the press release here.

Pathways: Unescorted #12 is an exhibition showcasing work by inpatients and former inpatients from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s Forensic Services, featuring painting, drawing, photography, music, spoken word and sculpture.

This year’s instalment of Unescorted showcases artists currently on the forensic pathway as well as artists who are now discharged and living in the community. Many of these artists have remained working alongside the gallery and indicate that the process of making art has supported their successful transition back into society.

The exhibition’s title ‘Unescorted’ plays on a term that describes a type of leave given to a patient who is held on section (detained), to physically leave the locked ward. Forensic services support people with connections to the criminal justice system.

Alongside psychiatric treatments, art technicians working within the Occupational Therapy service enable service users to engage in creative activities through the simple process of identifying and developing people’s skills and ideas. Every person who walks into the art rooms both on the ward and across the hospital has a different set of needs, interests, and strengths. The important part of the process starts there, where staff get to know the individual and begin to build a mutual relationship of trust and respect. The role of the arts staff is to consistently nurture confidence and foster a supportive, playful environment.

The work on show demonstrates a breadth of interests and ways of working as both an artist on site and post discharge.

Exhibiting artists: DW, Mo.B., Sarah, Paul, WT, JJ, Mr X, Leon, Albert, AH, AP, PF, Fatar, Ronnie, Sean, Barrington G, Warren, MW, Michael, Miguel, Matthew, JD. Find out more about South London and Maudsley NHS Foundations Trust’s Forensic Services.

The header image is work by Fatar.