Art has been used by people for centuries to express their mental health, make sense of their emotions and help their recovery. We have a long history of supporting and encouraging art, both from people who use our services, as well as the wider community to break down barriers and change perceptions of mental health.
Bethlem Gallery
Bethlem Gallery is a visual arts organisation based at our Bethlem Royal Hospita that showcases creative activities, projects and commissions to participate in, look at, talk and think about.
Their work bridges communities and aims to make art an everyday practice and mental health an everyday conversation, whilst also supporting the professional development of their artists.
Museum of the Mind
Situated At our Royal Bethlem Hospital, in a stunning Art Deco building shared with the Bethlem Gallery, Bethlem Museum of the Mind was formally opened by artist Grayson Perry in March 2015.
The museum cares for an internationally renowned collection of archives, art and historic objects, which together offer an unparalleled resource to support the history of mental healthcare and treatment.
Maudsley Long Gallery
The Maudsley Long Gallery, at our Maudsley Hospital, hosts three shows a year by young people, community project and exhibitions from Bethlem Gallery.
Our current exhibition is Unescorted #10, a showcase of work by service users from our forensic services, featuring painting, drawing, photography and sculpture.
SHARP Gallery
SHARP Gallery is a unique and innovative project, turning a drab meeting room into a popular gallery space at the SHARP building in Brixton. Since 2011 it has exhibited the work of over 120 artists, many of whom use mental health services.
AdArt
AdArt meet weekly in art groups across Lambeth and Southwark addictions services. Participant led, the group make artwork in a range of different mediums.
Collaborations and exhibitions are organised throughout the year to showcase the artwork made, such as with the Tate Modern to celebrate World Mental Health Day. AdArt is open to current and former service users of our addictions services.
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Adamson Collection
The Adamson Collection is one of the major international collections of art objects made by people who lived in European mental health hospitals.
It holds about 5,500 objects made by mental health patients between 1946 and 1981. The collection includes paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculptures, and works on stone, flint and bone.
