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19 September 2019

New exhibition explores contemporary experiences of anxiety

'ON EDGE: Living in an Age of Anxiety' exhibition now open at Science Gallery London

Image: Harold Offeh 'Mindfully Dizzy' 2019 Credit: Science Gallery London
Image: Harold Offeh 'Mindfully Dizzy' 2019 Credit: Science Gallery London

We all experience anxiety to some extent during our lives. 

 

The latest exhibition at Science Gallery London explores positive and creative responses to our anxious times through art, design and research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology& Neuroscience 

Running from 19 September 2019 to 19 January 2020ON EDGE: Living in an Age of Anxiety considers different personal experiences of anxiety, how the world around us can cause worry or stress, and whether anxiety can fuel positive action. 

“King’s College London is home to outstanding mental health research, including on the causes and effects of anxiety,” said Professor Thalia Eley, Professor of Developmental Behavioural Genetics at King’s and Season Advisor for ON EDGE. “This season brings new perspectives to a phenomenon that affects so many of us.”

Image: Sarah Howe 'Consider Falling' 2019
Credit: Science Gallery London
Image: Sarah Howe 'Consider Falling' 2019 Credit: Science Gallery London

“King’s College London is home to outstanding mental health research, including on the causes and effects of anxiety,” said Professor Thalia Eley, Professor of Developmental Behavioural Genetics at King’s and Season Advisor for ON EDGE. “This season brings new perspectives to a phenomenon that affects so many of us.”

The free exhibition includes artworks developed by artists who worked with researchers from King’s or patients from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. 

Rooted in research depersonalisation and derealisation disorders (DPD), Sarah Howe’s immersive installation, Consider Falling, brings to life feelings of anxiety through mirrors, fragments of interviews, and repeated gestures. The piece draws on the artist’s conversations with Dr Elaine Hunter, and service users at the Maudsley Hospital DPD unit.

Image: Resolve Collective and Science Gallery Young Leaders, 'Common Thread'
2019
Credit: Science Gallery London
Image: Resolve Collective and Science Gallery Young Leaders, 'Common Thread' 2019 Credit: Science Gallery London

Exploring the parallels between sleep, deep-sea rescue diving and psychotherapy, Leah Clements’ new film installation features the voice of Dr Guy Leschziner from the Sleep Disorder Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, who worked closely with Leah on her research.

Elsewhere in the exhibition, artists draw on personal experience. Inspired by the support of her football team, new paintings by Alice May Williams use the colours of football strips and the encouraging language of teammates to think about the benefits of exercise for mental health.

“Across King’s, researchers are developing new and imaginative thinking on the issues that really matter,” said Deborah Bull, Vice President & Vice-Principal (London) and Senior Advisory Fellow for Culture at King’s College London. “At Science Gallery London, we bring scientists together with artists to provoke new perspectives on some of the world’s greatest challenges and connect in innovative ways between the university and communities across London and beyond.”

Image: Alice May Williams 'With You, If You Need' 2018
Credit: Science Gallery London
Image: Alice May Williams 'With You, If You Need' 2018 Credit: Science Gallery London

Visitors to the exhibition will have the chance to contribute to cutting-edge King’s research about the causes of anxiety, from our genes to the threat of climate change. The Gallery will also host a discussion space for visitors to think about how we can live with anxiety as they contribute to an ever-changing woven structure. This space was co-designed by the Gallery’s Young Leaders, a group of 15-25-year olds who study at King’s or live, work or study in the neighbouring boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth.

 

Alongside the exhibition, a programme of free events, including talks, workshops and a Friday Late will continue the conversation around anxiety.

 

ON EDGE: Living in an Age of Anxiety

 19 September 2019 – 19 January 2020

Science Gallery London, Guy’s campus

Free entry

 

 

If you have been affected by anxiety, the following organisations provide support:

 

King’s Student Services: Counselling & Mental Health Support: 

Big White Wall: https://www.bigwhitewall.com/

Nightline: https://www.nightline.ac.uk/

Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/

Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/