Ralph Steadman exhibition coming to Halifax
A special retrospective of the work of British cartoonist Ralph Steadman is coming to the new exhibition space at The Artworks 1830 Gallery, Halifax.
With a career spanning seven decades Ralph Steadman’s work ranges from political cartoons and painting to children’s books and advertising.
The ‘Steadman@Once A Ralph Steadman Retrospective’ opens to the public on 11th October and runs until 8th December and will be open Wednesdays – Saturdays 10.30am- 4pm and Sundays 2pm – 5pm.
Among his political cartoons, Vietnam War drawings and collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson the exhibition will also include an array of Steadman’s children’s book illustrations.
The Artworks on Shaw Lane, is an independent art school in Halifax and a Creative Minds partner of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The Artworks offers a supportive environment along with skilled arts tutors who can (re)introduce people with health problems to a range of creative arts.
The Artworks Director John Ross said, “Ralph’s whole wild world of invention is so pertinent to what we are doing. His work is based on great drawing and that is what we believe in. We are hoping that by visiting the exhibition and taking part in the workshops children and students will understand the massive importance of the lost art of drawing. It is a great coup for the gallery and our region to attract such a major name.”
As a creative partner of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, The Artworks is part of a growing infrastructure of community organisations who are working with the Trust to provide creative projects to local people. As part of Creative Minds the Trust aims to support voluntary and community organisations, like The Artworks, to deliver a variety of creative projects to help improve the health and wellbeing of local people.
The Artworks runs the Arts for Wellbeing programme, a chance for people to access art classes in a supportive environment. Participants are often excluded from such opportunities due to stigma, social isolation, lack of motivation and resources to maintain or seek out such activities.
One Halifax resident who has taken part in the programme is 46-year-old Debbie. Debbie had been taking medication for depression for 20 years and was taking 21 tablets a day when she started the Arts for Wellbeing class, an experience that she credits with saving her life.
Debbie said, “It was December 6 2011- that’s the day my life changed. People cannot believe how much I have changed, how confident I have become (I cannot believe it myself) but thanks to the support and wonderful tutors at Artworks I have my life back; I no longer stay in all day unable to get out of bed let alone the door, I want to face the world, I want to see what else I could draw or paint. I want to live. Thanks to The Artworks/Creative Minds my daughters have their mum back and I have my life back.”
More information about Creative Minds can be found at www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/creativeminds You can read more about Debbie on her website [external website]
