51Âþ»­

A new exhibition which showcases art submitted by people shielding from Covid-19 during the pandemic will be coming to 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­).

The Art by Post: Of Home and Hope contains 600 images all created by people who were deemed vulnerable, living in care homes, or isolated during the pandemic.

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It has opened at London’s Southbank Centre, in partnership with the National Academy for Social Prescribing, and will then head to Manchester, Sunderland and Leicester.  The project is intended to show the power of community art on health and wellbeing.

Hugo Worthy, curator of Leicester Gallery, said: “We are really pleased to be hosting Art by Post, an exhibition that celebrates the value of creating and sharing art work and the resilience and generosity it engenders during these isolating and testing times.”

Art by Post was launched in May 2020 by Southbank Centre, which sent monthly creative booklets to 4,500 people across the country who were at risk from social isolation and digital exclusion during the pandemic.     

Many participants were supported by friends, family members, neighbours, healthcare professionals and social prescribing link workers who were vital in referring people to the initiative and joining in with the activities themselves.

Shaped by the isolating experience of lockdown, the new exhibition, curated by Persilia Caton and endorsed by international health bodies including the World Health Organisation, showcases the power of art on health & wellbeing and celebrates creativity and resilience of participants, who range from 18 to 103.

The National Academy for Social Prescribing has been instrumental in the roll out of Art by Post since the body formally partnered with the Southbank Centre in 2019. NASP will be based on site by the end of the year, enabling both organisations to carry out urgent work in this area – the need for which has been exposed by the pandemic.

Art by Post is being supported by 13 strategic partners and a further 156 delivery groups nationwide.

Art by Post project participant, said: “Since starting the Art by Post and putting words down on paper, especially the poems, it seems to be much easier, you have brought out a part of me that has laid hidden for virtually all my life, so for that alone, I thank you.”

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Alexandra Brierley, Director of Creative Learning, Southbank Centre, said: "We are so proud to announce our six partner venues for Art by Post: Of Home and Hope as the exhibition gets underway today at the Southbank Centre. Art by Post’s success is down to the participants who have given so generously to the project over the past 18 months and we are delighted to be able to showcase so much of their work in this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

"Art by Post is demonstrating the transformative power of art for health and wellbeing and, alongside the National Academy for Social Prescribing and over 160 partners, we will continue to make the case for enhanced community access and funding to it.”

James Sanderson, Chief Executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing, said: “Arts can be powerful and meaningful for many, whether it’s taking part in an activity, learning something new or going to an exhibition.

“Art by Post engaged people in their homes, providing a way to feel connected to others. Social prescribing link workers can connect people to projects like this to support them alongside wider health plans.

“We’re delighted to be working with the Southbank Centre and our touring venues on this inspiring and engaging exhibit, demonstrating the power of art and enabling more people and communities to connect to art for their health and wellbeing as they travel around the country.”