Two former residents of Help for Heroes Tedworth House Recovery Centre will have their art displayed at The White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough between the 6th and 15th October.
It will be their first public art gallery debut. Art has been a huge part of their recovery and this will be an amazing experience for them. Art is an unlikely weapon in the battle against physical and psychological injuries for our heroes but one wounded veteran has praised its role in his personal struggle.
Martin Wade, served in the Army for 15 years before medical discharge due to PTSD and is a regular attendee of Art sessions and has completed a City and Guilds qualification at Tedworth House says: “Art takes me on a journey and whilst I am on that journey, all I am thinking about is art. It takes me away from thinking about my challenges. It allows me respite from the stress of dealing with my PTSD.”
The pic shows Martin holding one of his paintings, the words inscribed across the front read, “as bloodied colours are freedom’s stain, shattered limbs and hidden wounds remain”. His picture raised £750; however someone who lost out on the bidding commissioned Martin to paint the picture again offering him £1,200, and Martin donated the entire amount of £1950 to Help for Heroes.
Help for Heroes offer art therapy at their Recovery Centres as it provides the peace and quiet that some of our beneficiaries wish for. It enables them to express their selves and to find that creative inspiration they may have thought never existed. Lots of the residents that stay here get involved in art – both exhibitors at the White Horse exhibition have found it especially helpful and focused on it more.
At Tedworth House, wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women can take part in a variety of art classes including one-to-one sessions with art teacher, Jenny Arthy, the Art Therapist at Help for Heroes.
She said: “I’ve seen people walk into the art room head down without eye contact and with no wish to communicate. With the ease of the atmosphere they grow more confident and come out of their shell.”
“For a few hours they can switch off from all the problems resettlement brings, enjoy the company and have fun I am constantly amazed by the extraordinary talents that surface and it’s just as wonderful to see their spirits rise.”
“I met Martin two years ago in the Art Room at Tedworth House. He went on to develop his skills by undertaking a City and Guilds in Paintings techniques. I feel privileged to be his tutor; I am constantly amazed by his extraordinary creative talent and by his progress.” she added
The exhibition runs between Thursday 6 and Saturday 15 October. There will also be a private viewing between 7-9pm on October 5th which you can click here to register if you wish to attend. The event is free to attend, please register, or give The White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough a call on 01672 704001 or email info@whitehorsebooks.co.uk, so they have an idea of numbers and don’t run out of wine!
September – second warmest in spite of below average sunshine
