Art On The Mind

About

This summer, art world A-listers will take part in the second, annual ‘Art on the Mind’ exhibition and auction, in aid of UK homeless charity Cardboard Citizens.
Sir Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Charlie Calder-Potts, Charming Baker, Harland Miller, and Ian Davenport are amongst the group whose work will be brought together in the online auction run by Paddle 8, and a free, week-long exhibition in London.

The charity hopes the event will raise awareness of its work, and proceeds will be invested directly into its programme of workshops focusing on education, skill development and creative expression, and information, advice and guidance for those currently experiencing homelessness.

“When I was contacted by Cardboard Citizens about donating a piece of work, I knew I wanted to be involved in the project right away. I have become more aware the increasing number of homeless people in the UK, and Art on the Mind is an important event that will help with the mental health issues raised by this awful situation. Anything that can be done to provide support to enable people to move away from homelessness is a very positive step.”

Ian Davenport, contributing artist.

For 28 years, the charity has used the arts to help people with experience of homelessness in London and nationwide. From those exposed and living on the street to those less visible, but still very vulnerable, individuals and families living in insecure and temporary accommodation, numbers continue to rise.

At least 320,000 people are homeless in Britain – a year-on year increase of four percent since 2017 - and figures in London have skyrocketed, with Newham ranked as England’s number one homelessness hotspot, and at least one in every 24 people in the borough in housing insecurity. Funds raised from Art on the Mind will also support a number of projects specifically targeting East London.

"Our year-round workshop programme brings together people experiencing homelessness and housing instability to participate in the performing arts to be part of a supportive community, with opportunities for personal development, self-expression and professional training. With ever-greater need in the UK, we're delighted that the visual artists that have so generously donated to this exhibition and auction have felt a sense of solidarity with our work and our Members. This year's Art on the Mind celebrates that solidarity through an eclectic and fascinating collection of pieces. We invite viewers and bidders to be part of our community, changing lives, together."

Adrian Jackson MBE, Founder of Cardboard Citizens

“I have been Cardboard Citizens’ patron for more than 10 years and in that time I have witnessed the life-changing work they do with homeless people in London and across the country. The inaugural Art on the Mind was a huge success, helping the charity to carry out their vital work. Homelessness continues to grow, so I hope as many people as possible will support this year’s auction, which features a superb collection of artists, so Cardboard Citizens can continue that work.“

Kate Winslet, CBE, Patron of Cardboard Citizens

As resources are increasingly stretched, Art on the Mind will play a vital part in supporting and expanding Cardboard Citizens’ much needed work, and will help champion the value of the arts as catalyst for change and personal growth.

Featured artists:

Abigail Bowen, Alan Fears, Alan Newnham, Andy Burgess, Andy Lovell, Angela Robinson,Ann Gardner, Ann-Marie James, Beatrice Brown, Carne Griffiths, Carrie Reichardt, Cathie Pilkington, Charlie Calder-Potts, Charlotte Keates, Charming Baker. Chris Levine, Chris Marshall, Christine Percy, Dan Pears, Dave Allen, Dean Hughes. Derrick Santini, Epoh Beech, George Percy, Gideon Rubin, Graeme Messer, Graham Swift, Harland Miller,Howard Tangye, Ian Davenport, Jack Milroy, Jeremy Deller, Julie Verhoeven, Kim Noble,Kristjana S Williams, Lisa Wright, Liz Harrison, Meredith Ostrom, Nick Gentry, Nick Walker, Patrick Hughes, Paul Bellingham, Pure Evil, Ray Richardson, Sir Anish Kapoor, Sir Antony Gormley, Stephen Buckley, Taina Pearson, Toni Cogdell, Victoria Topping, William Pye, Willy Russell.

ABOUT CARDBOARD CITEZENS

Cardboard Citizens is an award-winning theatre company and one of the world’s leading practitioners of Forum Theatre. They toured across hostels, day centres and prisons for more than 25 years, bringing theatre to the most marginalised in society. Through bold and immersive theatre, Cardboard Citizens break down conventional divisions between audiences and performers. Past productions include the critically acclaimed Cathy at Edinburgh Festival and Soho Theatre, Home Truths at the Bunker, the Evening Standard Award-winning Mincemeat, Pericles and Timon of Athens (with the RSC), The Beggar’s Opera (with the ENO), The Lower Depths and A Few Man Fridays.

Cardboard Citizens runs a membership programme for homeless, ex-homeless and at risk people, offering free workshops, information, advice and guidance, training and qualifications. Its Citz National Residencies reach vulnerable people across the country, exploring the barriers they face and identifying solutions, through fun, creative workshops.

Cardboard Citizens will be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe in Summer 2019 with a new show, details of which are to be announced mid-May. They have also started work on an ambitious collaboration with housing provider L&Q, holding residencies in three London housing estates, championing the role of social housing in the life of the capital.

A film co-directed by Cardboard Citizens Artistic Director Adrian Jackson MBE and Andrea Luka Zimmerman has been produced by Artangel, and is being released this June, with London screenings in the Nomadic Community Gardens, where some of the film was shot.

ADDITIONAL PATRONS’ & ARTISTS’ QUOTES:

“I have always believed in the transformative power of the arts and have seen first-hand how effectively Cardboard Citizens use theatre and creative participation to engage, educate and empower those affected by homelessness. Art On The Mind is a powerful reminder how the arts can be to raise awareness around issues we need to be talking about. Thanks to all the artists who have donated work and made this fundraiser possible.”

Rory Kinnear - Patron of Cardboard Citizens

“The calibre of the line-up of artists who have donated work to suport Cardboard Citizens’ work is testament to the charity. With the demand for mental health provision increasing, Art on the Mind is a brilliant opportunity to both raise funds and awareness around this issue.”
David Morrissey - Patron of Cardboard Citizens

“It’s so important that people are given support to move away from homelessness and
I hope people will help Cardboard Citizens’ mission to give them the tools to do so by bidding on a piece of work.”
Julie Verhoeven – Contributing artist.