Clive Nevet's Glenton Square Collection
In September 2021 Trapezium Arts hosted an exhibition of Clive Nevet's Glenton Square Collection.
The Glenton Square Collection is a unique collection of original art works created by people who use or have used mental health services, often over many years. The works were collected by Clive Nevet whilst living in a small bungalow in Glenton Square, next to Bradford's iconic Lister's Mill.
Clive's contact with many people who live or lived on the fringes of society and often struggled with their mental health, poverty and alienation from mainstream society, led to him purchasing their artwork or receiving work as donations. His collection also includes work from relatives, friends and neighbours, as well as prints he particularly liked or was given as presents.
Often termed 'Outsider Art' this collection challenges the narrow definition of art as an exclusive activity and the negative stereotypes of people living with mental health difficulties. Conditions such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, drug and alcohol addictions, and many other difficult and distressing conditions create many challenges for those living with the condition and for those around them.
Twister, Mixed Media, Paul RoweHowever, the rich 'sub-culture' amongst people living with mental health difficulties also gives rise to creative originality and views from different angles on life - as can be seen in this inspiring and powerful collection, which at times is also touching and humorous.
The need to express oneself creatively is about art for art's sake. This isn't art as therapy, to be analysed or 'medicalised', but art as a fundamental human need, as a means of expression.
To compliment the Glenton Square Collection, exhibition also included an eclectic mixture of work also created by 'outsider artists', many of whom were members of the Mind Art Group, based at Mind in Bradford, between 2001 - 2008. During this time, Stuart Wilde was employed as an Art Enabler, and inspired and supported Mind members to create a wide range of individual and joint original art works, often with low cost or recycled materials.
Many of the artists had not done any art since their school days, often having been told they were 'no good at art' whilst others were experiencing extreme states of psychosis, mania, anxiety, depression or disassociation at the time they took part. Again the images created affirm the importance of creative expression as part of good mental health.
Abstract, Oil on Canvas, Dash RamClive has been involved in many mental health service user empowerment initiatives throughout his life. He worked with the Hamlet Trust to set up the first mental health Advocacy project in Bradford, travelled to Poland to promote user involvement there, and featured in the ground-breaking book, 'From the Mental Patient to the Person' (Barham & Hayward 1991). He has also been an accomplished musician, inspiring teacher and a good friend to many.
Two Fingers, Lino Cut, SteveWe would like to thank Clive for the opportunity to share his unique and visionary collection. It fits with our ethos that art is for everyone, not just the privileged few. The Glenton Square Collection stands up as an art collection in it's own right, as valuable as art from any source.
Dates:
4th to 25th September 2021
Artists:
Khadijah Afza
Ian Barraclough
Altan Basharan
Claire Beattie
Graham Binns
Hannah Bolland
Ian Bottomley
Diane Brennan
Terry Briggs
Paul Clarke
Gloria de Clare
Gerard Goodwin
Gladstone Henry
George Horvath
Ethna Kilduff
Heather Larkin
Mick Larkin
Simon Marsh
Terry Mellem
Iris Moss
Andy Mottram
Clive Nevet
Megan O'Reilly
Mussarat Rahman
Dash Ram
Trevor Ramsay
Adrian Ravel
Paul Rowe
Sidney Rowntree
Sidney Rowntree
Lynn Shipp
Sonny Taylor
Arash Torabi
Georgina Torabi
Kavus Torabi
Jay Turner
Stephen Tyson
Ian Westerman
Daisy Wilde
Stuart Wilde
Sue Wilde
Louis Wilde
Pat Williams
Teresa Wojtkow
Howard Patrick Wood
Plus Dave, Diop, Maurice, Steve and other unknown artists