Our Coast, Our Sea - North East organisation to launch ‘rubbish’ exhibition at the Holy Biscuit Gallery

7 September 2011

North East organisation to launch ‘rubbish’ exhibition at the Holy Biscuit Gallery

People with mental health difficulties will show off their creative expertise at an exhibition, taking place this weekend in Newcastle.

Members of Walker Challenge, a voluntary organisation designed to support people with mental health conditions including schizophrenia and depression, travelled the Northumberland coastal path from Cresswell to Berwick on a ‘Flotsam and Jetsam Tour’. They will exhibit sculptures (made out of rubbish collected on the Northumberland coast) and photographs that reflect their experiences and growing environmental awareness. The sculptures and photos in the exhibition demonstrate a different approach to recycling rubbish: it has been used to create the artworks on show!

A special launch event will take place on Friday September 9 from 4pm at the Holy Biscuit gallery in Shieldfield, Newcastle.

The 10-day tour and exhibition was funded by Ecominds, a £7.5 million funding scheme run by Mind on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Changing Spaces’ initiative. Local charity Mobex North East, who specialise in outdoor arts and activities, provided expert support for the journey and creation of the art works.

With the clear success of this project, Mobex North East is now looking to expand the tour giving more people the opportunity to be involved and bringing more projects like the exhibition to the public eye.

As well as taking photographs and creating art works, the group also took part in litter picks, helped National trust wardens in the conservation of a sensitive coastal area, and learned more about the local wildlife, resulting in them achieving a John Muir Conservation award.

Cabinet member for Adult Services Cllr Kevin Graham said: “It’s great to see organizations like Walker Challenge helping people with mental health issues with such inspiring work, not only maintaining our environment but also bringing the beauty of Northumberland to Newcastle through the amazing photo’s taken by the group. The exhibition will definitely be worth a visit.”

The group, all adults, will be launching the exhibition at The Holy Biscuit Gallery 9 September at 4pm till 7pm; it runs until 12 September, opening times are 11am till 5pm and entry is free.