Healthwatch Essex is excited to open their new multi-media exhibition ‘Expressions of Trauma’ in Colchester on 10th October 2024. The exhibition, hosted in partnership with the Trauma Ambassador Group, will feature artwork illustrating personal experiences of trauma, and how people use creative outlets to express themselves.
The exhibition will be open every Thursday to Sunday until 10th November from 10am – 4pm at The Minories Gallery (74 High Street, CO1 1UE). Entry to the exhibition is free, and contributors will be in attendance throughout to speak about their work.
The exhibition, created to raise empathy and awareness of trauma and the effects it has, will feature art covering sensitive themes including bereavement, abuse, chronic pain, and forced adoption, amongst others. Exhibitors have shared a range of multi-media pieces, with poetry and audio played throughout the exhibition, alongside interactive art pieces, paintings, textiles, photography, and more.
Sharon Westfield-de-Cortez, Healthwatch Essex Information and Guidance Manager and founder of the Trauma Ambassador Group, says:
“It has long been a part of conversations within the Trauma Ambassador Group how people living with the effects of trauma often use a creative outlet to help express their thoughts and feelings. It has been immensely moving and insightful to connect with a wide range of individuals across the county who were willing to share their artwork with us. We hope that this display of mixed media creations will prove a powerful way to raise empathy and awareness of trauma, as well as illustrating the profound talent that lies within our communities.”
Allie Watson, Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador, shared a full-body piece for the exhibition. She speaks about how important she finds using creative outlets:
“Art has been lifesaving on many occasions in helping me cope with my trauma. Art helps me to express things that I find very difficult to put into words. It is a fundamental part of my life now to keep myself well, and [is] something I turn to in crisis.”