Art in the Aftermath


Touching exhibition at La Galleria of work by soldiers who have found help coping with traumatic events through art as well as the work of Style for Solders who organised the show.

This was a case of finding a fascinating world that you hadn’t known existed before. It was an odd mix but all interesting. The art work was excellent particularly the portraits by Stewart Hill who was in the gallery when I went in and came over to say hello. As you can tell from this blog I spend a lot of time in galleries and it is rare for someone to come over and welcome you and engage about the work.

I also liked the wall of poems by Karl Tearney which were a wonderful mix of moving and witty pieces. I loved one about suffering from PTSD in the middle of Tescos, a wonderful description of what it feels like and what others can do.

The other aspect of the show was looking at the work of Style for Soldiers, an initiative set up by designer Emma Willis to go to Headley Court, the rehabilitation centre, to make complimentary clothing for men and women whose bodies had been change by injury to help them build self-esteem and confidence. There were beautiful photographs from a fashion shoot by Ben Weller and Boo George of these clothes being modeled by the people they were made for.

Closed on 17 November 2018

Review
Evening Standard 



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