It’s Never Just Black or White: Exhibition marking World Mental Health Day in Westmeath

Mental Health Ireland will launch It’s Never Just Black or White, an exhibition featuring artwork by participants from local Mental Health Services in Athlone and Mullingar, on 10 October to mark World Mental Health Day.

The artwork has emerged from OUR VISION OUR VOICE, a long-term collaboration between the HSE Mental Health Services and Mullingar Mental Health Association. OUR VISION OUR VOICE is an inclusive art programme, co-produced to support individuals with mental health challenges on their recovery journey. It aims to make art accessible and integral to people’s lives. By nurturing their abilities, teaching new skills, and promoting independence and inclusion, the programme has been a beacon of hope.

Since its inception in 2016, the programme has been facilitated by Rosaleen Heavin, Visual Artist and HSE Occupational Therapist. Originally named Photovoices, it began by using cameras to explore participants’ lived experiences of mental health. Since then it has developed to include various media such as photography, painting, ceramics, writing, and video, showcasing individual recovery journeys.

Participants from local Mental Health Services in Athlone and Mullingar take part in the programme from May to October, culminating in an exhibition in October.

About the exhibition
Life is a tapestry of nuances and shades of grey. Whether we’re making decisions, understanding people or interpreting life events, things rarely fit neatly into one box or another.

OUR VISION OUR VOICE has reflected this theme in their 2024 art project, It’s Never Just Black or White, adding a new dimension to the project that is now in its ninth year.

Rosaleen encouraged participants to start with black and white art, exploring techniques like pencil drawing, shading, and acrylic painting. This approach helped them become more comfortable with different art forms as a means of expression and understand the connection between colour and mood, gradually incorporating colour into their works.

The exhibition features two pieces from each of the 24 participants and will be hosted at The Atrium, Westmeath County Council Buildings, Mullingar, from 7 – 18 October 2024.

Exhibition launch 
The exhibition will be officially opened on 10 October 2024 at 17:30. Members of the public are warmly welcomed to join in the celebration of It’s Never Just Black or White, marking World Mental Health Day.

OUR VISION OUR VOICE is Funded by Creative Ireland and Westmeath Arts Office.