Abstract Life 

Menier Gallery, 51 Southwark Street, SE1 • 18th - 25th January 2004
11:00am – 6.00pm Mon – Fri, 11:00am – 4.00pm Sat – Sun

Left image: Leigh E Niland
Right image: Alison Dawn West

Private view 23rd January 2004
The Private view opening will be Friday 23rd of January 2004 from 6.00 pm - 11:00pm, we will have a large music event with our member bands performing and an invited bands "MASS" (which supported the White Stripes in the last tour) and "Monkey Island"

Core Arts, a registered charity which exists to promote the artistic and creative talents of people who have experienced and endure mental health problems, will present an exhibition showcasing the new work of nearly thirty artists. The exhibition, supported by Barclays Community Investment Programme, who generously funded the Art Workshops, will open in January 2004 and will be held at the Menier Gallery, Southwark St.

The Hackney community studio started as an attempt by one artist to liberate some free studio space in the old Hackney Hospital. It has evolved constantly over twelve years to become a multi-talented ensemble of artists, musicians and writers exploring the boundaries between genius and madness.

Amanda Allchorn, Community Manager for Greater London said, "At Barclays we are committed to communities and we are delighted to support Core Arts and this Exhibition. This is a great opportunity for us to help make a real and lasting difference to the charity, artists and the local community. We are delighted too to see our employee volunteers give up their time to help man the exhibition".

The exhibition produces a spontaneous display of vivid abstract visions, deeply personal expressions and collaborative realisations, free from the traditional boundaries of academic reason and the burden of fashion. The spark of creativity, the drive and the imagination of the participating artists are ever present.

It is these talents that Core Arts strives to nurture, where talent and unrestrained beauty can emerge from the prison of so-called "insanity" and social exclusion. Abstract Life is a celebration of life, in whatever form, however "abstract".

For further information and images, please contact:
Juliana Molinari on 020 8510 9990 or molinari@corearts.co.uk

For further information on the Barclays Community Investment Programme please contact:
Amanda Allchorn on 07775 547668 or amanda.allchorn@barclays.co.uk

Barclays Bank PLC:
… In 2002 Barclays global commitment to the community amounted to £32 million, which includes 1% of UK pre-tax profits. As one of the UK¹s largest corporate community contributors, the bank aims to achieve real and lasting benefit both for the community and Barclays, by supporting education, social inclusion, people with disabilities, the arts and the environment.

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Core Arts, 1 St Barnabas Terrace, Homerton, London E9 6DJ   Tel: 020 8533 3500
registered charity no: 1043588    company no: 2985939