2017 Work
The 2017 inaugural work is called “Rider on the Wheel” was inspired by the Nick Drake song of the same name.
The themes for 2017 were: Bridges, Reflections, Shadows
These are thumbnail images. Right-click on the image to open a full-sized version or view all the submissions here
Artist: Dorset Community Art Group
Title: Photographic Collage
Medium: Photos, paper
Theme: Bridges
” This collage features photographs taken by a group of people with a passion for the outside world and the beauty within the local area.”
Artist: Mark Whittaker, Braintree, Essex
Title: In the Shadow
Medium: Pastel
Theme: Shadows
“I have had Schizophrenia most of my life so fully understand what the Infinnity Project is all about and fully support it. I paint very spontaneously so my mood often reflects my work and I can get fully engrossed in my paintings and certainly helps my mental health.”
Artist: Sophie Colley, Dorset
Title: Flying Boots
Medium: My father’s RAF boots, cement and knitting needles
Theme: Shadows
” Within my work I use gravity to create tension, freeze-frames that we can experience not just as a purely physical form, but also as an essence of mortality. I created this piece to illustrate the effect diagnosis can have on ones ability to fly. The cement symbolises the shadow of diagnosis whereas the boots are depicting identity and the laces hope.
Artist: Dorset Community Art Group ‘Meet & Make’
Title: Reflections in Clay
Medium: Ceramic – Using marks and symbolism we have reflected our thoughts into clay
Theme: Reflections
” Art can be meditative, expressive and a way to visualise the internal. This work is done as part of art therapy class.”
A third submission from:
Artist: Cathy Trevaldwyn from Essex
Title: Kaleidoscope 1V
Medium: 3D work using Copper Mesh, Aluminium Mesh, Sheer green material, Hessian, Eco Print on fine paper
Theme: Reflections
“The Infinnity Project has given me the confidence to exhibit my work and call myself ‘an artist’. Having done so, I have gone on to exhibit in Braintree Open Art Exhibition, and found it was very favourably received. I intend to enter other exhibitions. This project has been the starting point. Thank you! ”
A second submission from:
Artist: Samantha Ellson-Allen, from Essex
Title: Over the bridge and far away
Medium: Inks on Watercolour paper
Theme: Bridges
“I went through the stage of doing my own version of Chinese art as it relaxed me as it’s very calming culture.”
Artist: Lorna Clark, Bournemouth
Title: Solace
Medium: Digital Drawing and Watercolour
Theme: Reflections
“Through art I am able to find solace. Making art has helped me to cope and deal with my mental illness on a daily basis. I am able to clear my head for a while and escape from my thoughts, while often getting lost in the details of what I am creating. I believe creating art, whatever form this may take is a powerful tool in recovery and has helped me during tough times. ”
Artist: Michelle Cush, Braintree, Essex
Title: Lavender Spring
Medium: Watercolour
Theme: Shadows
“I started painting while in hospital then when I found the local Rethink art group it gave me the opportunity to continue. My art group allows me time to mix with other people which I wouldn’t do otherwise.”
Artist: Michelle Cush
Title: Summer stream crossing
Medium: Watercolour
Theme: Bridges
“I started painting while in hospital then when I found the local Rethink art group it gave me the opportunity to continue. My art group allows me time to mix with other people which I wouldn’t do otherwise.”
Artist: Michelle Cush
Title: Sunset
Medium: Watercolour
Theme: Reflections
“I started painting while in hospital then when I found the local Rethink art group it gave me the opportunity to continue. My art group allows me time to mix with other people which I wouldn’t do otherwise.”
Artist: Mark Whittaker, Braintree, Essex
Title: Sunrise on Blossom Bridge
Medium: Mixed media on water colour paper
Theme: Bridges
“I have had Schizophrenia most of my life so fully understand what the Infinnity Project is all about and fully support it. I paint very spontaneously so my mood often reflects my work and I can get fully engrossed in my paintings and certainly helps my mental health.”
Artist: Cathy Trevaldwyn, Chelmsford, Essex
Title:Chelmsford: 2 Bridges and a River
Medium: Clay balustrade, aluminium,mosaic path, 2nd Bridge ironwork – sewing machine embroidery, with Aluminium bar (from Mosaic)
Theme: Bridges
“I am very aware that being creative has helped my fluctuating mood in the same way that medication can. (I have bipolar.) I think I am less likely to be unwell if I have something to distract me. Creativity is an essential part of maintaining well-being.”
Artist: Madeleine Pickett, Norwich
Title: Dong
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Theme: Shadows
“Art helps me with my Schizophrenia, when I’m well it’s what I do, when I’m under the weather, it’s what I think about!”
Artist: Cathy Trevaldwyn, Chelmsford
Title: Shadows shape our lives
Medium: Sculpture, Eco-print & Mesh
Theme: Shadows
“I am very aware that being creative has helped my fluctuating mood in the same way that medication can. (I have bipolar.) I think I am less likely to be unwell if I have something to distract me. Creativity is an essential part of maintaining well-being.”
Artist: Isabelle MacGowan, Dorset
Title: Solitude Medium: Chalk Pastels
Theme: Reflections
“I want to raise the importance of art working alongside mental health recovery and that anyone can do it, they only need to pick up a pencil or a paintbrush. Art helps me focus on the world around me rather than just on what’s going on inside my head. Since starting art I find I look at the world in a different way and look for the beauty rather than what scares me.”
Artist: Madeleine Pickett, Norwich
Title: Spring Sprigs Medium: Drawing photoshopped digital image
Theme: Reflections
“Art helps me with my Schizophrenia, when I’m well it’s what I do, when I’m under the weather, it’s what I think about!”
Marcus La Roche
Artist: Marcus La Roche, Essex
Title: Waterway Reflections Medium: Acrylic
Theme: Reflections
” I have Schizophrenia and support the Braintree Rethink group. Art helps me relax and distracts me from my illness and provides a sense of achievement.”
Artist: Kay King, Braintree, Essex
Title: Blue Tit Reflections Medium: Watercolour, pen and wash
Theme: Reflections
” I have Borderline Personality Disorder , Depression & Anxiety and support Rethink Mental Illness and attend the group in Braintree. Art does not come naturally to me, I have to really try, support really helps”
Artist: Miss Kaz Indigo Raven, from Manchester
Title: We Want Freedom Medium: Paper & Pencil
Theme: Shadows
“Everybody deals with mental health their own way and art is my lifeboat in a world that cast me out into churning seas. I can explain myself with art without having to find words that cannot express my truth. I am only alive because of art and waiting for therapy for ten years its keeps me plodding on in a world that seems to not see me.”
Artist: Joe Breslin, a member of the TenFeetAway art group in London
Title: “From Farringdon” Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Theme: Bridges
“I want my work to reach a wider audience”
Artist: William Denison, a member of the TenFeetAway art group in London
Title: “Compton Avenue Revisited” Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Theme: Shadows
“I’d like the work to seen by a large audience and to boost my deflated ego”
Artist: Samantha Ellson-Allen, from Essex
Title: “Reflections” Medium: Pyrography on a chopping board with white and blue inks
Theme: Reflections
“I struggle with coping with life everyday I don’t understand the world and find it difficult dealing with people when I do my art I and my art become one we understand each other and seeing my burnings come alive I just go into another world which I like.”
Artist: Miss Kaz Indigo Raven, from Manchester
Title: Beautiful Purge Medium: Paper & Pencil
Theme: Shadows
“Everybody deals with mental health their own way and art is my lifeboat in a world that cast me out into churning seas. I can explain myself with art without having to find words that cannot express my truth. I am only alive because of art and waiting for therapy for ten years its keeps me plodding on in a world that seems to not see me.”
Artist: Sue Holtum, from Kent
Title: Walking Together in Light and Shadows
Theme: Shadows
“That could refer to the shadow of looming darkness for a dog nearing the end of her life, and the looming end of our companionship. It is something that reflects a difficult thing (and other difficulties) in my life at present.”
Artist: Madeleine Anna Pickett, diagnosed with schizophrenia, 2016
Title: Crossover
Theme: Bridges Medium: Acrylic on naval
“I work repeating the same set of brush strokes ( gesture) over and over in different colours, sometimes waiting for each layer to dry, sometimes allowing the colours to mix, (wet on wet ) this builds up a pattern and rhythm of each canvas through repetition … I am hooked on this process of making”
Artist: Jenny Rutland, Braintree, Essex, diagnosed with depression
Title: Reflections on Depression
Theme: Reflections Medium: Graphite and Watercolour Pencil on Paper
“The Project is a brilliant idea to showcase art by people with MH problems and to raise funds for Rethink at the same time. I am a member of Braintree Rethink Art Group and this group gave me my life back, making friends there and renewing my interest in art. Doing art relaxes me and takes my mind off my illness making me feel better.”
Artist: Mark Whittaker, Braintree, diagnosed with schizophrenia
Title: Rainbow Reflections
Theme: Reflections
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
“I have had Schizophrenia most of my life so fully understand what the Infinnity Project is all about and fully support it. I paint very spontaneously so my mood often reflects my work and I can get fully engrossed in my paintings and certainly helps my mental health.”