Comments for the reflections exhibition
About the reflections exhibition
'reflections' opened on Monday 26th October and ran until Sunday 1st November - it was a ground-breaking digital exhibition of projected artwork and was possibly the first of its kind in Worcester. The exhibition was held as part of Worcester’s World Mental Health Day celebrations.
Members of AIMs (Art in Minds) saw their artistic endeavours projected through a large screen in a currently empty shop window in Worcester High Street, directly above the H & M store. The exhibition was visible to the thousands of shoppers passing below.
Comments
AIMs is a wonderful concept. Many of the artists had not thought of putting pen, paint and other media to paper let alone displaying their work in a public exhibition. The work is professional and first rate. Art in the various media has helped individuals to relax and express themselves.
The words accompanying several pieces show how the experience has enabled confidence, for example – “For forty years I have been stood at the window, nose pressed against it, watching the art inside, never having the courage to open the door. Then someone opened the door FOR me and asked me to come in out of the cold”.
Each piece of work with the artists name and their inner thoughts is courageous and to be admired. With a little help and patient encouragement, so much more has been achieved. This is such a worthwhile enterprise for whatever problems one might experience and should do much to remove the stigma of mental illness from the public’s mind.
Congratulations to all concerned with the AIMs project.
It’s over a week since the launch and I am still feeling inspired, motivated and generally warm inside every time I think about it. An outstanding piece of work generated from the heart and executed with a load of talent and skill. Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to be part of that evening.
Once again well done Jayne to you and all the team.
I was at first stunned and enthralled....This was AIMs contribution….wow…..
For years they have resolutely sent me letters about their group..........I thought 'this has nothing to do with me.'.....I didn't want to know..........I didn't realise what they were about…
So my first impression at the exhibition - was…AIMs is important….
Going to the 'private' view....It was gorgeous, staring at the huge picture after picture. All so different and spell-binding..what a delight...being amongst the gathering of like-minded people..milling around enjoying themselves as much as me! The venue was just to my liking....a glass of wine to sip as we sat and admired the art on such a balmy evening. I felt touched to the core by the speeches...the food and the sangria..
It was the first time I had been out at a social evening for years and years........not only was it painless and stress free. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. For many many years the illness has whittled my life down to virtual isolation and fear....Here AIMs was saying...you are and what you do is important...you are more than your illness….
At the end, the exhibition showed me.........I am a person! Wow..I am a person!
Going home from the evening, my awed being, at peace....feeling so amazed. I am a person.
Thank you AIMs.
I thought the exhibition was absolutely superb. I hate to tell you that art galleries are not really my thing but I genuinely enjoyed seeing the work on display and the obvious pride that the exhibitors had in their achievements made it one of the sort of events that makes me feel very honoured to be in some way associated with the quality of work that you and many of your colleagues produce.
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the private view last night and how good it all looked.
Well done last night was a great event and a great project.
Art for me means HOPE. I can FEEL it and it gives me a deep visceral pleasure. It absorbs me.
Being part of AIMs and this project is important to me because of how Art is helping me and is also a way of how I can help spread the word and put mental health art in the public eye.
I just wanted to congratulate you and the team on a successful exhibition. I was unable to make the start on Monday but I did pop over later and marvelled at the stunning artwork and the innovative way it was portrayed.
For making the 'reflections' exhibition possible AIMs would like to express their deepest gratitude to all those involved in the project, especially the following organisations, businesses and individuals:
