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Portraits of Recovery present the launch of “To the Sun, Moon & Stars,” an exhibition showcasing the transformative power of art in the journey of recovery.
The launch of the exhibition will feature speakers including PORe director Mark Prest, artist Lois Blackburn and a special in-conversation with Lois and artist support Kaye Williamson, who will offer insights into the significance of art in her recovery journey. Finger food will be provided, as well as craft-making opportunities.
To the Sun, Moon & Stars started as a series of art-based workshops, led by artist Lois Blackburn. These workshops invited Oldham’s recovery community to create their own art and investigate individual journeys of recovery, using the ancient tradition of amulets and talismans as inspiration.
Each workshop focused on themes like – the eye, heart, and words of wisdom. Using a variety of material-based processes, metal, fabric, stitch, and wire, people created a range of unique artworks that symbolically speak of their lived experiences.
Creating as a form of collective activism generated new conversations on all things recovery framing recovery as a realistic, visible, and attainable lifestyle option for Oldham’s community of people in recovery.
Mark Prest, CEO and Director of Portraits of Recovery remarks: ‘To the Sun, Moon & Stars’ embodies our commitment to fostering creativity and community within the journey of recovery. Substance misuse affects many of us and has long been stigmatized. It is through community experiences, such as this workshop series, and the telling of stories, at this public exhibition, that we can help change that.”
Artist Lois Blackburn says: “Through creativity people in Recovery have shared stories of loneliness and love, hopelessness to happiness. They have turned their nightmares, hopes and dreams into artworks. People in Recovery have so much to teach us all.’
An anonymous participant to the workshops commented: “In our workshop’s conversation turned to how hands are used for social connection, as a tool for recovery, sensuality, passion, prayer, protection, stress, signalling, a stop sign, of boundaries. We also reflected on how they can be destructive, violent tools. We talked of communicating with our hands, of healing, of rituals in recovery, of feeling, touching, loving. Of holding hands.”
Sean Baggaley, Principal Arts & Heritage Officer, Gallery Oldham: “At Oldham Heritage, Libraries & Arts we are delighted to be showcasing the work and creativity of the participants in this latest project by Portraits of Recovery. The workshops at Gallery Oldham enabled people to take inspiration from our collections and be led by an artist to explore themes of magic, protection and recovery.”
A Portraits of Recovery project commissioned and funded by Oldham Council Substance Misuse Team and Action Together.
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