A new gallery has been opened to display the artwork of people living with brain injury, after more survivors than ever before turned to art during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lane Gallery, in Derby, will be a dedicated forum for the many art forms created by survivors who have used creativity to communicate their personal experiences of life in lockdown.
The gallery, created by Headway Derby, was opened by artist Paul Cummins, whose creations include the world-famous Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London, which commemorated British and Colonial losses in the First World War with 888,246 ceramic poppies.
Paul has previously inspired members of the group via a virtual session through the charity’s Together from Home project, launched in March 2020, encouraging budding artists to be themselves and find an art form that flowed for them.
The Lane Gallery will exhibit art of all mediums, including abstract, watercolours, sketches, photography, creative writing, graffiti, sculpting and poetry. Initially, it will feature the work of four artists.
“Art is a pure form of communication that brings people together, whatever their background or story. This is a wonderful place where people will be able to communicate through whatever art form works for them uniquely,’ said Paul, who received an MBE in recognition of the success of his Tower of London creation.
Art is a powerful medium for brain injury survivors, and has been used by Headway Derby for the 27 years it has been in existence, and during the pandemic became a key way in which its team could connect with and support clients who were isolated in their homes.
During that period, the Headway team pivoted its entire offering to digital, accompanied by a range of practical resource boxes and materials, telephone calls, loaning devices and equipment out, and live streaming events.
By completely transforming to adopt digital, the charity was able to expand its reach of support from 48 in the previous year to over 300.
The launch of its new gallery is being delivered in collaboration with Derby Museum and Art Gallery, exhibiting work created by people whose lives have been affected by brain injury together.
It is also named in tribute to Headway Derby’s founding chair, Christine Lane, who passed away in 2020 and had remained committed to the charity until her death.
Rebecca Manship, chief executive of Headway Derby, said: “It is an absolute privilege for Headway Derby to launch this new gallery, and we are delighted to be exhibiting four local grassroots artists in its inaugural exhibition.
“It is well documented that art forms are linked with psychological health benefits, including improved mood, increased levels of well-being, reduced stress levels and less symptoms of depression.
“This resultant reduction of pressure on statutory services highlights the benefits of expressive and creative activities across the wider society we live in, and helps to increase independent living, confidence, self-esteem and self-identity of those people taking part.”
Debra Morris, chair of Headway Derby, added: “Access to exhibition opportunities for survivors of brain injury will provide a whole new dimension to the development of art.
“We see the impact arts has on the rehabilitation of our members and I am delighted that we can now provide this new facility for the wider brain injury community.”
Headway: The benefits of art therapy for brain injury patients
- Sharpen fine motor skills and visual perception. Handling paint on a paintbrush can help you gain more control of your fingers and hands, which can in turn transfer to other skills and development
- Improve concentration and attention. Art therapy, whether it involves painting, drawing, writing, or taking a pottery class, requires deep concentration and focus
- Boost problem-solving skills. Art might look easy, but it actually takes a lot of thinking, focus, planning all of which in turn help problem solving skills
- Relieve symptoms of depression and build social skills. Art therapy is proven to help combat the chemical imbalances that cause depression
- Improve self-management and self-esteem. One of the best reasons to try art therapy after brain injury is it gives you a space where for once, you are in control.
