Unescorted showcases the creative talent amongst detained patients from River House and Bridge House, part of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Both units are relatively new, housing 113 patients who have been detained under the mental health act.

Alongside the traditional psychiatric treatments, arts technicians enable patients to engage in creative activities through the simple process of identifying and nurturing their hidden talents. Similarly, during the music sessions participants have the opportunity to record their thoughts, feelings and perceptions and turn them into compositions and lyrics.

Over 20 patients have submitted work for the show, on view is a collection of paintings, drawings and music, offering a glimpse into their daily lives and unique ways of seeing. The work ranges from large-scale architectural graphite drawings, to vibrant paintings of Caribbean scenes, to illustrative pen and ink sketches of imaginative characters.

The freedom of expression that creativity allows, offers a poignant counterpoint to the restrictions that detention imposes.