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Take in the incredible works of artists who have taken part in our previous art events.
Looking to purchase the art of one of our Doncaster stars?
We are incredibly proud to present the shortlist of 30 artists, chosen from over 600, who are the finalists of our recent exhibition; 'Art as a Response to Mental Health".
We invite you to browse the incredible works of these artists and share far and wide.
ART AS A RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH
Matias Boettner - Within - Winner 1st Prize -£500
Berlin, Germany
As someone who has a lot of experience with anxiety and anxiety disorders I know that the darkest parts of one self are what lies within our minds. Sometimes showing ones pain can be a relieve for someone else. Knowing that you are not alone when it comes to suffering makes it easier to understand that the darkness can be understood and surpassed. There is strength in numbers and not feeling alone is very, very important to get better.
As someone who has a lot of experience with anxiety and anxiety disorders I know that the darkest parts of one self are what lies within our minds. Sometimes showing ones pain can be a relieve for someone else. Knowing that you are not alone when it comes to suffering makes it easier to understand that the darkness can be understood and surpassed. There is strength in numbers and not feeling alone is very, very important to get better.
Megan Thorpe - 15 - WINNER 2ND PRIZE - £300
Benfleet, UK
This is an abstract self portrait that portrays my experience with mental health. In 2019, I experienced a mental breakdown. This lead me to start creating art as a way to work through the acceptance and struggles of my mental illness. Throughout my work I explore the formation, breakdown and emotions of the self. Although I have many styles the subject always remains the 'self'. Art allows me to communicate where words often fail me.
This is an abstract self portrait that portrays my experience with mental health. In 2019, I experienced a mental breakdown. This lead me to start creating art as a way to work through the acceptance and struggles of my mental illness. Throughout my work I explore the formation, breakdown and emotions of the self. Although I have many styles the subject always remains the 'self'. Art allows me to communicate where words often fail me.
Christy Woolley - Self Portrait with Dishevelled Hair -WINNER 3RD PRIZE £200
DONCATER - UNITED KINGDOM
I did this self portrait at the beginning of May, the first one which I have done in around two years. Lock-down due to Covid-19 had given me so much time to reflect, being back in Doncaster as my university in Leeds is closed and I have to adapt to a whole new lifestyle change, with the end of a long-term relationship to deal with as well.
I felt like I needed to embrace myself and the raw emotions which I was and still feeling due to testing times, to gain a sense of self-reflection and to distinguish my worth when I had felt so low, through the passion of creating art to visually represent my feelings.
I did this self portrait at the beginning of May, the first one which I have done in around two years. Lock-down due to Covid-19 had given me so much time to reflect, being back in Doncaster as my university in Leeds is closed and I have to adapt to a whole new lifestyle change, with the end of a long-term relationship to deal with as well.
I felt like I needed to embrace myself and the raw emotions which I was and still feeling due to testing times, to gain a sense of self-reflection and to distinguish my worth when I had felt so low, through the passion of creating art to visually represent my feelings.
Pieter LuÌbbe - Sacred Sanity -HIGHLY COMMENDED
Pretoria, South Africa
Focusing on mental health has always been a more than valid imperative. But now that we’re trapped in a lockdown cocoon, it has certainly put on a different coat. Our state of mind might be precious and concealed, yet clearly exposed. It won’t take much of a force to penetrate, remove, or destroy the barrier and cause damage. Only when it’s absolutely necessary, can we take risks. Only when it’s absolutely necessary, can we open the lid and let in some air. Until then, let’s keep the lid closed.
Focusing on mental health has always been a more than valid imperative. But now that we’re trapped in a lockdown cocoon, it has certainly put on a different coat. Our state of mind might be precious and concealed, yet clearly exposed. It won’t take much of a force to penetrate, remove, or destroy the barrier and cause damage. Only when it’s absolutely necessary, can we take risks. Only when it’s absolutely necessary, can we open the lid and let in some air. Until then, let’s keep the lid closed.
Tilly Gee - Red Flowers in a Rosé Bottle - HIGHLY COMMENDED
Yelverton, UK
This piece is a manifestation of my experience with trauma. The threads here can either be perceived as lavish decoration, or as heavy strands weighing down the delicate flowers as they unravel.
On many levels it is a self-portrait. In the past I have tried to break away from using flowers to talk about myself because as a child in the countryside all I ever wanted was to move to a big city and start my life. Nevertheless, the woods of my home have attached themselves to the deepest parts of me. The familiarity and safety of where I grew up and the nature that surrounds it has comforted me at my weakest.
After I was sexually violated by somebody that I lived with in September of 2019 everything felt out of control. I had this deep, visceral fear that if I explained how I was feeling or asked for help, I would just have it confirmed to me that I was beyond fixing. The portrayals of sexual assault victims I was used to seeing in the media were almost entirely tragic women who found it impossible to get past their experiences. The psychological agony seemed to take over their entire life. I was scared of allowing myself to acknowledge my own pain in case I could never escape it, just like them.
By creating this piece, I gave myself the opportunity to shine a light on emotions I had been trying to supress. It articulates how I feel unable to trust myself just to be fine. It represents the way that I wake up every morning pretty much ok, but I am always aware of my own instability, worried that if I lie in bed longer than I should, if I let myself think a little more than is comfortable, if I don’t keep myself distracted enough, I might collapse, and this time I won’t be able to get up again. I wanted to indicate how exhausting it can be to need to look after yourself all the time.
In the aftermath I felt like I didn’t really understand who I was or how I fit into the world anymore. The experience challenged my perception of myself so thoroughly that at times it felt as if I no longer even existed. This artwork allows me to acknowledge my pain, anger and fear, as well as my strength and fundamental character. I needed to make space for this new idea of myself as a victim to exist alongside my established self-image, rather than be at odds with it.
The composition presented here is one of flowers in full bloom, but I wanted it to seem as if they exist on the edge, so that one or two extra threads would be enough for the entire thing to collapse. Mental health is a wide ranging concept, of which my personal experience is only a small part, but as isolating as this can feel I think the emotions I am exploring are ones that many people can connect to, however their individual struggle may present itself.
This piece is a manifestation of my experience with trauma. The threads here can either be perceived as lavish decoration, or as heavy strands weighing down the delicate flowers as they unravel.
On many levels it is a self-portrait. In the past I have tried to break away from using flowers to talk about myself because as a child in the countryside all I ever wanted was to move to a big city and start my life. Nevertheless, the woods of my home have attached themselves to the deepest parts of me. The familiarity and safety of where I grew up and the nature that surrounds it has comforted me at my weakest.
After I was sexually violated by somebody that I lived with in September of 2019 everything felt out of control. I had this deep, visceral fear that if I explained how I was feeling or asked for help, I would just have it confirmed to me that I was beyond fixing. The portrayals of sexual assault victims I was used to seeing in the media were almost entirely tragic women who found it impossible to get past their experiences. The psychological agony seemed to take over their entire life. I was scared of allowing myself to acknowledge my own pain in case I could never escape it, just like them.
By creating this piece, I gave myself the opportunity to shine a light on emotions I had been trying to supress. It articulates how I feel unable to trust myself just to be fine. It represents the way that I wake up every morning pretty much ok, but I am always aware of my own instability, worried that if I lie in bed longer than I should, if I let myself think a little more than is comfortable, if I don’t keep myself distracted enough, I might collapse, and this time I won’t be able to get up again. I wanted to indicate how exhausting it can be to need to look after yourself all the time.
In the aftermath I felt like I didn’t really understand who I was or how I fit into the world anymore. The experience challenged my perception of myself so thoroughly that at times it felt as if I no longer even existed. This artwork allows me to acknowledge my pain, anger and fear, as well as my strength and fundamental character. I needed to make space for this new idea of myself as a victim to exist alongside my established self-image, rather than be at odds with it.
The composition presented here is one of flowers in full bloom, but I wanted it to seem as if they exist on the edge, so that one or two extra threads would be enough for the entire thing to collapse. Mental health is a wide ranging concept, of which my personal experience is only a small part, but as isolating as this can feel I think the emotions I am exploring are ones that many people can connect to, however their individual struggle may present itself.
Laila Bohnenberger - Triaphrénia - FINALIST
Brussels, Belgium
I created 3 faces, all next to each other as if it were 1 single face but with a cloudy result. I made reference to a schizophrenic person or rather a "triaphrenia" person in my painting (three faces). A schizophrenic can have a split personality, in this case a tripling of personality. My painting also expresses attention and concentration disorders. It’s a blurry face, a face difficult to recognize. Concentration is then lost to surround this head which is made of overlays.
I created 3 faces, all next to each other as if it were 1 single face but with a cloudy result. I made reference to a schizophrenic person or rather a "triaphrenia" person in my painting (three faces). A schizophrenic can have a split personality, in this case a tripling of personality. My painting also expresses attention and concentration disorders. It’s a blurry face, a face difficult to recognize. Concentration is then lost to surround this head which is made of overlays.
Jana Hatalova - Reflection- FINALIST
Kosice, Slovakia
A portrait of a woman, restless. Like the reflection on the water surface, vawy and unstable, the reflection of her inner self is also constantly changing, her mind never at peace, always running, her perception distorted. This is what a mental disorder looks like.
A portrait of a woman, restless. Like the reflection on the water surface, vawy and unstable, the reflection of her inner self is also constantly changing, her mind never at peace, always running, her perception distorted. This is what a mental disorder looks like.
Rose-Marie Eliot -
Doncaster, UK
Fergus Wachala-Kelly - Can I Pick Your Brain? - FINALIST
Portstewart, UK
I was always drawing and creating from a very young age, until about the age of 18 were this all stopped. I stopped drawing and I stopped making. At this point in my life I was depressed and had a lasting feeling of worthlessness. I began to analysis what had happened and what made me happy, the first answer I came up with was art. Art has allowed me and given me the freedom to get this feelings out on a page. For me words are not always the best form of expression and emotion. Art has given me a second lease on life . For anyone struggling any form of creative expression is a vital form of therapy and that is a message I want to promote throughout this campaign.
I was always drawing and creating from a very young age, until about the age of 18 were this all stopped. I stopped drawing and I stopped making. At this point in my life I was depressed and had a lasting feeling of worthlessness. I began to analysis what had happened and what made me happy, the first answer I came up with was art. Art has allowed me and given me the freedom to get this feelings out on a page. For me words are not always the best form of expression and emotion. Art has given me a second lease on life . For anyone struggling any form of creative expression is a vital form of therapy and that is a message I want to promote throughout this campaign.
Becky McKinlay - Diaplacement - FINALIST
DONCASTER , UNITED KINGDOM
I have always suffered with my confidence and social situations, with a fear of rejection or being unliked or not good enough and therefore hold back in much of life. I enjoy art and particularly like to make 3D objects. Through my degree I have found a love for Ceramics as well as using inks and brush to really use the materials as a therapy. I was inspired by the Kintsigi approach of embracing the scars and objects being more beautiful based on their story and much of my work focuses on this approach. I am currently focusing on making a series of emotional figurines using simple body language and smoke and Saggar firing to add marks and scars that express the burden that many people carry with them and tend to hide from others.
I have always suffered with my confidence and social situations, with a fear of rejection or being unliked or not good enough and therefore hold back in much of life. I enjoy art and particularly like to make 3D objects. Through my degree I have found a love for Ceramics as well as using inks and brush to really use the materials as a therapy. I was inspired by the Kintsigi approach of embracing the scars and objects being more beautiful based on their story and much of my work focuses on this approach. I am currently focusing on making a series of emotional figurines using simple body language and smoke and Saggar firing to add marks and scars that express the burden that many people carry with them and tend to hide from others.
David Sanchez - The Line of Life -
Doncaster , UK
The Line of Life' shows the fragility of life, represented by a thin rope. The idea behind this photograph was to portray how easy it is for people to fall into suicidal thoughts and 'cut' their life line. It also demonstrates the feeling of being tied up with no escape and seeing suicide as the only way out. I created this piece to bring awareness to depression and suicide, especially during this time of isolation where people may be prone to increased suicidal thoughts and depression. A lot of people don't speak about their struggle and I hope that with increased awareness they will feel less alone.
The Line of Life' shows the fragility of life, represented by a thin rope. The idea behind this photograph was to portray how easy it is for people to fall into suicidal thoughts and 'cut' their life line. It also demonstrates the feeling of being tied up with no escape and seeing suicide as the only way out. I created this piece to bring awareness to depression and suicide, especially during this time of isolation where people may be prone to increased suicidal thoughts and depression. A lot of people don't speak about their struggle and I hope that with increased awareness they will feel less alone.
Ayobami Olowookere - Behind every smile of a black skin woman. - FINALIST
Ibadan, Nigeria
According to the title "behind every smile of a black skin woman" this is an uncertain and questionable statement, it triggers the think faculty about what is definitely behind the smile either happiness or sadness. This piece is in response to mental health because it is showcase to charge the thinking faculty about any situations (either tough or balanced) that we might be facing as human (women especially), tough situations can be hidden under a very simple contagious and healthy smile. With this expression "upon all odds, we are standing strong" without anyone knowing what we are passing through either difficulties or smooth path. This art piece is charging every woman out there to always light up their facial look with smile no matter their troubles.
According to the title "behind every smile of a black skin woman" this is an uncertain and questionable statement, it triggers the think faculty about what is definitely behind the smile either happiness or sadness. This piece is in response to mental health because it is showcase to charge the thinking faculty about any situations (either tough or balanced) that we might be facing as human (women especially), tough situations can be hidden under a very simple contagious and healthy smile. With this expression "upon all odds, we are standing strong" without anyone knowing what we are passing through either difficulties or smooth path. This art piece is charging every woman out there to always light up their facial look with smile no matter their troubles.
Ana Gabrielle Coêlho de Cerqueira Cruz [Gabi Coêlho] - Amargo- FINALIST
MACELLO, BRAZIL
Despite working with self-portrait for some time, I had stopped producing; I was unmotivated. During the period of social isolation imposed by the pandemic, I found myself compelled to reconnect with the things that were around me. And that gave me the courage to be, again, handling and performing in front of the camera. The excitement of producing something saved me from the lethargy that Covid's melancholy brought with it.
Despite working with self-portrait for some time, I had stopped producing; I was unmotivated. During the period of social isolation imposed by the pandemic, I found myself compelled to reconnect with the things that were around me. And that gave me the courage to be, again, handling and performing in front of the camera. The excitement of producing something saved me from the lethargy that Covid's melancholy brought with it.
Ekaterina - Blooming - FINALIST
LONDON , UNITED KINGDOM
Hallucinations and delusions, you face isn’t reflecting the real emotions, it doesn’t belong to you anymore, it is shrinking and spreading, blooming like a garden and dying when roses in your eye sockets stop regenerating. You feel the tender smell of spring flowers surrounding your senseless body as you sit on the cold steely bed with white duvet, “vegetating”, as they unethically name your state. “Blooming” you whisper...
Hallucinations and delusions, you face isn’t reflecting the real emotions, it doesn’t belong to you anymore, it is shrinking and spreading, blooming like a garden and dying when roses in your eye sockets stop regenerating. You feel the tender smell of spring flowers surrounding your senseless body as you sit on the cold steely bed with white duvet, “vegetating”, as they unethically name your state. “Blooming” you whisper...
Rebecca Wright - ‘Painting on a smile’ - FINALIST
Doncaster, UK
‘Painting on a smile’ is a response to mental health by representing the health workers during this difficult time. I find it astounding how health workers continue to go to work every day still with a smile on their face... whilst society relies on them to keep us going by helping the sick and the ill, even with the detrimental risks currently involved. However, I believe that the public have no real idea of the impact of this crisis on their mental health. Many nurses and doctors have not seen their children or families in weeks. Through experimentation with oil and acrylic paint, I created a painting which reflects their deep struggle with their mental well-being whilst under immense pressure right now, and their fight to try to remain positive and support patients. I hope this painting gives the public time to reflect and appreciate what an amazing job the health workers are doing right now and to remind them that they are only human.
‘Painting on a smile’ is a response to mental health by representing the health workers during this difficult time. I find it astounding how health workers continue to go to work every day still with a smile on their face... whilst society relies on them to keep us going by helping the sick and the ill, even with the detrimental risks currently involved. However, I believe that the public have no real idea of the impact of this crisis on their mental health. Many nurses and doctors have not seen their children or families in weeks. Through experimentation with oil and acrylic paint, I created a painting which reflects their deep struggle with their mental well-being whilst under immense pressure right now, and their fight to try to remain positive and support patients. I hope this painting gives the public time to reflect and appreciate what an amazing job the health workers are doing right now and to remind them that they are only human.
Bethan Hammond-Jones - All at once -FINALIST
DONCASTER , UK
I feel that you can be the same person and have several conflicting emotions running through your mind at once. Almost feeling like you’re more than one version of yourself at a time. This piece shows the physical representation of the different feelings happening simultaneously. Along with the expressive strokes in the background I feel this depicts emotions from positive to negative, using bright pinks, and black
I feel that you can be the same person and have several conflicting emotions running through your mind at once. Almost feeling like you’re more than one version of yourself at a time. This piece shows the physical representation of the different feelings happening simultaneously. Along with the expressive strokes in the background I feel this depicts emotions from positive to negative, using bright pinks, and black
Maia Brown -motion sickness - FINALIST
Doncaster, UK
It is a demonstration of the contrasting feelings of euphoria and exhaustion experienced by people affected by a number of neurological states, particularly bipolar disorder, autism or ADHD.
It is a demonstration of the contrasting feelings of euphoria and exhaustion experienced by people affected by a number of neurological states, particularly bipolar disorder, autism or ADHD.
Josh Crulley - Screams of Silence - FINALIST
NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM
My work is a depiction of how some people suffer with their mental health. The work portrays a feeling of entrapment which is particularly of relevance in today's society. The work 'Screams of Silence' is a visual representation of how people can struggle to communicate with others, the use of black is an expression of feelings of fear and aggression.
My work is a depiction of how some people suffer with their mental health. The work portrays a feeling of entrapment which is particularly of relevance in today's society. The work 'Screams of Silence' is a visual representation of how people can struggle to communicate with others, the use of black is an expression of feelings of fear and aggression.
PETER MUSAMI - Mudzimu ndiringe - FINALIST
HARARE, ZIMBABWE
As I was painting this body of work in my home studio which basically has been my quarantine space since this whole nightmare started I had all the victims to this novel virus in my heart and thoughts. (Mudzimundiringe meaning a call out for protection from ancestors….. hence the masked portrait figures in these paintings)The ripple effects of this pandemic has given me and certainly everyone time to think and to see life as a whole different spectrum of events that at tmes bring human kind to its knees and eventually make us pick ourselves up with a common agenda to rebuild and reunite as a people.
I have no doubt in my mind that this plague has actually made a vivid footprint in the history of mankind….and if anything else life has taught us to keep evolving and ever moving forward.
In this body of work tearing, cutting, destroying and mending are central and fundamental to my working process and the emotionally charged end process, hence emphasis is on the actual process of the making of the artwork. (Tearing representing all the damage poverty, disease, women abuse, gender inequality, racism, tribalism, political genocides, etc has inflicted on all peoples across all cultures, whilst the mending and stitching and the indiscreet stapling resonates with the forgiveness and healing and restoration process we need to save humanity.)
I tried to overcome sentimentality by actually tearing some surfaces of burlap and canvas apart and re-joining them with a combination of indiscrete stapling, and stitching, hence exploring more on “RESTORATION”. I have found my working process on this theme to be therapeutic, and mind rejuvenating …the ultimate healing of the mind nd soul.
As I was painting this body of work in my home studio which basically has been my quarantine space since this whole nightmare started I had all the victims to this novel virus in my heart and thoughts. (Mudzimundiringe meaning a call out for protection from ancestors….. hence the masked portrait figures in these paintings)The ripple effects of this pandemic has given me and certainly everyone time to think and to see life as a whole different spectrum of events that at tmes bring human kind to its knees and eventually make us pick ourselves up with a common agenda to rebuild and reunite as a people.
I have no doubt in my mind that this plague has actually made a vivid footprint in the history of mankind….and if anything else life has taught us to keep evolving and ever moving forward.
In this body of work tearing, cutting, destroying and mending are central and fundamental to my working process and the emotionally charged end process, hence emphasis is on the actual process of the making of the artwork. (Tearing representing all the damage poverty, disease, women abuse, gender inequality, racism, tribalism, political genocides, etc has inflicted on all peoples across all cultures, whilst the mending and stitching and the indiscreet stapling resonates with the forgiveness and healing and restoration process we need to save humanity.)
I tried to overcome sentimentality by actually tearing some surfaces of burlap and canvas apart and re-joining them with a combination of indiscrete stapling, and stitching, hence exploring more on “RESTORATION”. I have found my working process on this theme to be therapeutic, and mind rejuvenating …the ultimate healing of the mind nd soul.
BlackHeart Illustration - The Infinite Escape - FINALIST
Reading, UK
Based on personal battles with mental health, the concept of the work illustrates two aspects. One being the recurring and puzzling battles with mental health (The Infinite Escape) and secondly, in the darkest depths of those cycles, the feeling of submerging in the overpowering and dominating nature of negative mental health.
Based on personal battles with mental health, the concept of the work illustrates two aspects. One being the recurring and puzzling battles with mental health (The Infinite Escape) and secondly, in the darkest depths of those cycles, the feeling of submerging in the overpowering and dominating nature of negative mental health.
Özlem Köse - Corona Enjoyment - FINALIST
Istanbul, Turkey
This work aimed to turn the disaster scenes of Corona days into entertainment. For this reason he preferred a Surrealistic style. In these disaster scenes, sometimes sandals are waiting, and sometimes the rulers violate the needs.
This work aimed to turn the disaster scenes of Corona days into entertainment. For this reason he preferred a Surrealistic style. In these disaster scenes, sometimes sandals are waiting, and sometimes the rulers violate the needs.
Mark McDonnell - Maud - Radar Love - FINALIST
Ipswich, UK
My work has been produced to aid my own mental health at this time due to the lock down, I feel the coloring and overall feel gives a feeling of fantasy and inspiration which may provoke and promote positive thoughts.
My work has been produced to aid my own mental health at this time due to the lock down, I feel the coloring and overall feel gives a feeling of fantasy and inspiration which may provoke and promote positive thoughts.
Massimo Vito Avantaggiato - MY VISION (ONE VISION ONE TRIBE)
Milan, Italy
MY VISION ”is a work that aims to recall the not always easy relationship between man and society as a source of primary inspiration. The brush strokes are direct, immediate, straightforward, and do not suffer from second thoughts. It seems almost childish work, but it is only apparently.
The colors are numerous and are now bundled together through subtle strokes, now through marked strokes: overall this coloristic flow tends to dare the idea of a strong dynamism, of a rhythmic impulse, which seems dictated by the fast and alienated times of contemporary society.
In the excited colorism that dominates the work, on the left we see a stylized human figure, almost primitive and alienated, which testifies the condition of man caused by the passage of time and the rapid transformation of contemporary society. The work is completed through a collage work through the insertion of external elements created in part by the author, mainly colored cardboard cuttings and other "poor" material variously treated.
MY VISION ”is a work that aims to recall the not always easy relationship between man and society as a source of primary inspiration. The brush strokes are direct, immediate, straightforward, and do not suffer from second thoughts. It seems almost childish work, but it is only apparently.
The colors are numerous and are now bundled together through subtle strokes, now through marked strokes: overall this coloristic flow tends to dare the idea of a strong dynamism, of a rhythmic impulse, which seems dictated by the fast and alienated times of contemporary society.
In the excited colorism that dominates the work, on the left we see a stylized human figure, almost primitive and alienated, which testifies the condition of man caused by the passage of time and the rapid transformation of contemporary society. The work is completed through a collage work through the insertion of external elements created in part by the author, mainly colored cardboard cuttings and other "poor" material variously treated.
Ian Latham - The Withered Rose -FINALIST-
Doncaster, UK
The image is about intraspection, which I've been doing a lot of in lockdown, and recognising the transience of beauty. This is part of my creative response to staying sane in isolation.
The image is about intraspection, which I've been doing a lot of in lockdown, and recognising the transience of beauty. This is part of my creative response to staying sane in isolation.
Dina Belaia - Trojans of my Soul, aka Invasion -FINALIST
Toronto, Canada
The drawing of a wild horse is formed entirely by the screaming or disdainful faces - even legs and tail are those evil faces. This represents the feeling of being mentally invaded by those who enter our soul and hurt us from inside.
The drawing of a wild horse is formed entirely by the screaming or disdainful faces - even legs and tail are those evil faces. This represents the feeling of being mentally invaded by those who enter our soul and hurt us from inside.
5TH APRIL 2020
8TH DECEMBER 2019
30TH JUNE 2019
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