SETU hosts The Vibrant Mind Exhibition: Embracing Metal Health through Artistry at its campus in Carlow from 4 to 15 November, 2024.
Ireland's showcase
The University’s Department of Humanities has collaborated with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) to deliver the GAMIAN-Europe (the Global Alliance of Mental Illness Advocacy Network), in conjunction with Bodywhys Ireland, and the European Federation of Psychologist’s Associations (EFPA) to bring this pan-European exhibition to its Kilkenny Road campus, showcasing the importance of art in expressing and communicating the nature of mental health. The exhibition at SETU's campus is the only showcase of The Vibrant Mind in Ireland.
Art as a vehicle for human expression
Speaking about the project, Dr Dean McDonnell, Lecturer of Psychology at SETU’s Department of Humanities, mentions that
“Visual arts have a fantastic ability to capture or illicit some form of emotion from us. Whether we are the creator or the individual experiencing it, psychologists have been exploring the many ways arts act as a vehicle of human expression.”
Dr McDonnell continued, “Having the opportunity to host the work of 29 European artists is an absolute honour, and I would love for the SETU community to take some time for themselves and come to experience the exhibition.”
Fostering an environment that promotes mental and physical well-being is at the heart of SETU’s strategic goals. This was recently outlined through the signing of SETU’s Healthy Campus Charter in line with the Higher Education Authority’s (HEA) Healthy Campus Framework. The exhibition will provide a space at the University’s Carlow campus where people can experience and enjoy the intricate relationship between artistry and mental health.
The therapeutic nature of art
Dr Odhrán Mc Carthy, Clinical Psychologist and President of PSI, commented,
“It wonderful to see the arrival in SETU of the Gamian Vibrant Mind Art exhibition. Launched originally in 2022, GAMIAN-Europe MyHeArt project focused on artists living with mental ill-health”.
Continuing, Dr Mc Carthy commented on the pieces, saying “I can only describe the selected art work as stunning. Art provides a wonderful way to express emotions and experiences that not easily expressed in words and can be thus immensely therapeutic”.
Facilitating dialogue and challenging stigmas
Celebrating artists who are living with mental health conditions all over Europe, GAMIAN outlines that the purpose and aim of The Vibrant Mind project is to “spotlight the intricate relationship between artistry and mental health, facilitating dialogue, challenging stigmas and promoting understanding”.
Having just travelled from the Rethink Mental Illness in London, the exhibition will be opening on Monday 4 November at 7pm at SETU’s Kilkenny Road campus in Carlow, and will run for two weeks, closing on 15 November.
For more information on the project, click here.
For interview and for queries related to the exhibition in Ireland: contact Dr Dean McDonnell on [email protected]