Trauma Survivors Hold Exhibition at Martello Tower

Following the success of our exhibition at The Minories, Colchester, in the autumn and recently at The Mercury Mall, Romford, we are pleased to display the third instalment of our exhibition ‘Expressions of Trauma’ at Jaywick Martello Tower.

The exhibition, created to raise empathy and awareness of trauma and the effects it has, features art covering sensitive themes including bereavement, abuse, chronic pain, and forced adoption, amongst others.

Sharon with Matthew next to his ‘UK Pride Flag’ artwork.

This instalment of the exhibition showcases many new pieces, as well as returning artworks from previous instalments. One of the new pieces by Matthew Johnson is ‘UK Pride Flag’, pictured. He described this piece:

“Post trauma, the process of healing continues with a returning of hopefulness for the future. These new pieces represent what hope looks like for different members of our community. The UK Union Flag has been redesigned to include the rainbow colours of the intersex-inclusive pride flag, describing the hope of the LGBTQ+ community that the straight people of the UK will fully accept and include them.”

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.”

The exhibition is open on Saturdays and Sundays throughout January, from 10am to 4pm, at Jaywick Martello Tower, Belsize Avenue, Jaywick.