THE BETHLEM GALLERY - Art from Ephemera
Friday, June 17, 2011 Includes artwork by Phil Baird, Jane Fradgley, Sue, Terence Wild, Katy Phillips, Peter,
James Tanner, Sebastian Jones and Sue Morgan.
The Bethlem Gallery invites you to a joint exhibition between the Bethlem Art Studio and Bethlem Archives and Museum opening on the 22nd June. This exhibition combines artists’ use of the everyday and ‘throwaway’ in their art with items selected from the Museum’s collection of ephemera.
Ephemera are the bits and pieces of everyday life - postcards, stamps, tickets, receipts and doodles - that normally wouldn't merit a second glance. Artists, however, have used the ephemeral to explore themes of memory, loss and the beauty of the overlooked.
The gallery is an extension of Bethlem Arts Studios, which provide weekly creative sessions for patients within Bethlem Royal Hospital’s Occupational Therapy programme. The sessions are run by professional artists and volunteers who encourage people to participate in creative activities, to learn new skills and express themselves in a safe space. This process strives to develop people’s skills and confidence by focusing on their strengths and abilities.
Michaela Ross, Art Coordinator at the Bethlem explains “The exhibition grew out of the desire to pay attention to objects that might often be overlooked or undervalued. In a world where people and things are put into boxes and categories, the artists have chosen to make objects and images that are not so easily labeled or contained.”
The exhibition will open during Bethlem Royal Hospital’s Sunfayre event on July 2nd. This well loved annual fete offers a day of live music, complementary therapies, children's entertainments and refreshments. Visitors are also welcome to explore the Archives and Museum on the hospital site, visit the art gallery, take part in creative workshops, and have a picnic in the beautiful grounds.
Exhibition details:
Opening Event: 22nd June, 3-6pm
Exhibition continues: 23rd June – 22nd July
Opening times: Wed, Thurs, Friday, 11am – 6pm
Gallery & Museum open 2nd July, 12am - 5pm
Address: The Bethlem Gallery, Bethlem Royal Hospital,
Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BX
Travel: Nearest British Rail: Eden Park / East Croydon
Contact: Beth Elliott, Gallery Co-ordinator, 020 3228 4835
Email: thebethlemgallery@gmail.com
Website: www.bethlemgallery.com