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Mental Health Museum

Page Liked · 6 January · 

Yesterday we were visited by textile designer Amanda Woollard who took inspiration from our museum collections for her BA in Surface Design and Textile Innovation. Amanda has created delicate and beautiful pieces that respond to experiences recorded by Mary Frances Heaton.

Mary was a music mistress who was admitted to the West Riding Lunatic Asylum on 16th Sept 1837. She recorded her thoughts and frustrations at her admittance to the asylum as well damning indictments against those in power in beautiful stitched samplers. You can see Mary's original samplers on display at the Mental Health Museum.

http://www.artsthread.com/portfolios/darkcorners/

Image: 'Mary Frances Heaton Sampler' © Mental Health Museum.

https://www.facebook.com/Mental-Health-Museum-1411952179024477/

Revisiting Research .

I have enjoyed looking through my research notes from which I hope to continue my study of rehabilitation during the mid to late nineteenth century. My main research focuses on a female patient incarcerated in West Riding Asylum with symptoms of epilepsy and insanity. Mary dealt with her fate in an emotional but practical manner using her artistic flare for embroidery to engage us in her plight. Her samplers are biographical and historical pieces which represent a period when mental health was only just beginning to be understood. Occupational therapies such as gardening, weaving, painting were used to develop patients well being and rehabilitation.I have found in my own work embroidery has helped center my thoughts. Difficulties seem to fade and my artistry takes over. I believe the repetition of stitch soothes the mind and helps us escape from our conscious every day thoughts.  

Taught Exhibition at Bradford School Of Arts & Media.

 The Exhibition Ends today, It has been lovely to take part and I feel quite humble to have shown my work along side a group of Inspiring People who previously attended Bradford College.

Having had a month of packing and unpacking after moving home I feel ready to start researching to develop new work. The last few weeks have been really busy I have had hardly any time to think,so I aim to take this week to gather my thoughts and read some of my previous research material.

I have just been selected as a scholar for 2016/17 by the Embroiderers Guild and I am looking forward to developing my degree work further.
I plan to go through my previous research as I found the subject of rehabilitation and occupation therapy so interesting. Working voluntary within a college to help young adults with learning disabilities over the last year has been very rewarding and inspiring.It has given me a greater understanding of mental health and the importance of crafts to develop peoples motor skills and welbeing.

Currently putting together a selection of my work to exhibit at the Dye house Gallery at the Bradford School of  Art. The Exhibition 'Taught' is an opportunity for staff and former students to showcase there work and celebrates the History of Bradford School of arts and achievements of its Alumni.

Had a great time at the Fashion & Embroidery Show 2016 at the NEC Birmingham.
I met some lovely people there and future contacts. I would like to thank Madeira for sponsoring me over the final year of my degree and for giving me this opportunity to exhibit my work.
Here is a selection of images taken over the duration of the show.