Lancaster gallery hosts exhibition of paintings and drawings from self-taught artist
King Street Arts in Lancaster are hosting an exhibition of personal paintings and drawings from self-taught artist Thom Draven.
‘Not all Rainbows and Sunshine’ can be seen at King Street Arts from May 27 until June 6.
Thom Draven said: “I find expressing myself through art very therapeutic, and a good coping strategy. My goal in this exhibition is to share art created as part of my ongoing mental health journey.
“The artists I admire and inspire me are, Francis Bacon, Edvard Munch, Maria Lassnig, Frida Kahlo, Henri Mattisse, Pablo Piccaso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Tracey Emin, and Vincent Van Gough.”
Thom is keen to share his work to open up discussion and understanding about mental health issues, and the experience of living with them, so that others can feel less isolated by realising they are not alone..
Roy Smith from King Street Arts said: “There is an admirable honesty about Thom and his desire to produce art that reflects aspects of his life living with a mental health condition. These paintings and drawings are an interpretation of lived experience that could never be guessed at by looking at the man.
“The truth is that when we look at and see any person, we rarely see the reality of their lived experience. For Thom his art is a conduit whereby he can explore and share aspects of his medical
condition with himself and others. Although Thom’s paintings reflect his own life experience, I think there are aspects that every person will connect with.”
King Street Arts have Lancaster city centre studios, workshop and gallery space.