Barnsley art installation to explore ‘how accepting is our town?’
To mark World Aids Day Barnsley-based organisations Plus Me and Creative Recovery, in partnership with South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, are inviting local people to an art installation that explores ‘how accepting is our town?’
The art installation will be launched on Wednesday 4th December at REHAB (formally a men’s clothing outlet), 4 The Arcade, Barnsley S70 2QN, with showings running from 6pm-8pm. The installation will then be open Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th December between 12pm -4pm.
With the help of local people who use services provided by the NHS Trust, a large scale art installation has been created to help explore the impact of discrimination. The work includes words that are frequently used to discriminate people for various reasons from their sexuality to mental health.
The Sticks and Stones project combines a number of art forms, including film, textiles, music and audio to create a walk through experience lasting 25 minutes. Visitors will be transported from the 1980s to the present day and encouraged to consider their own thoughts and feelings about ‘community’ and discrimination.
After completing a walk through the years it is hoped a few myths surrounding HIV and mental health will have been broken and participants will be asked to pledge not to use the words displayed.
The installation is open to all to come in and reflect on the work and their own thoughts towards discrimination in our local communities.
Helen Boutle, who has helped lead the work on behalf of Creative Recovery, said, “The Sticks and Stones project brings together different groups from across Barnsley. Participants have been busy creating screen-printed textile pieces, making short films and a soundtrack.
“Some of the work is challenging but we hope that it will get people thinking about some of the issues highlighted and bring people together.
It has been an opportunity for local people to be part of a big project and learn new skills, at the same time as helping to raise awareness of World Aids Day, the organisations involved and the impact of discrimination.”
Plus Me is a creative partner of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. As part of Creative Minds the Trust aims to support voluntary and community organisations, like Plus Me, to deliver a variety of creative projects to help improve the health and wellbeing of local people.
More information about Creative Minds can be found at www.creativemindsuk.com
