Ralph Steadman comes to Halifax
A special retrospective of the work of British cartoonist Ralph Steadman has opened at The Artworks 1830 Gallery, in Halifax and the Trust’s Chief Executive Steven Michael got the chance to meet him at the opening night.
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’ opened 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 the 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 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 Debs Taylor. Debs 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 Debs on her website
