Fife based artist Drew Walker held an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness of mental health and the role that art can play in recovery.
The exhibition entitled ‘Falling UP’ was designed and created by Drew who himself has been open about his struggles with mental illness and how he used the facilities and possibilities of the art school as an integral part of his recovery.
The exhibition was sponsored by Fife MSP Alex Rowley who said:
“Drew’s openness about mental health and his enthusiasm for the role of art in recovery is commendable and he has been doing some great work with a number of organisations across Fife supporting others who have and are experiencing mental health issues. It was great that he was able to come to the Scottish Parliament and speak direct with all politicians about his work and the issues that arise from it”.
Professor Murdo Macdonald of the University of Dundee also supported Drew with the exhibition and said:
“Drew’s work in art and mental health is both innovative and important. He is now an engaged advocate of the powerful Austrian model of art in the context of mental health, having already begun to complement it in Scotland with his remarkable project Falling UP”.
In Scotland, more than one in three people will at some point in their life experience mental health issues.
Drew Walker said:
“Being in The Scottish Parliament has been an eye opening experience. Alex Rowley and his team have been of highly significant importance supporting me with my lobbying exhibition introducing the Gugging-process to MSPs. A very positive story about mental illness, art and recovery. I have felt respected and listened to on a cross party basis. It’s truly been a game changing moment in my life. This is accessible democracy as it should be.”
