To the Sun, Moon & Stars started as a series of art-based workshops, led by artist Lois Blackburn, and ended in a recovery exhibition at Gallery Oldham. The aim was to empower recovery through art.
These workshops invited Oldham’s recovery community to create their own art and investigate individual journeys of recovery, using the ancient tradition of amulets and talismans as inspiration.
Each workshop focused on themes like – the eye, heart, and words of wisdom. Using a variety of material-based processes, metal, fabric, stitch, and wire, people created a range of unique artworks that symbolically speak of their lived experiences.
Creating as a form of collective activism generated new conversations on all things recovery framing recovery as a realistic, visible, and attainable lifestyle option for Oldham’s community of people in recovery.
“In our workshop conversation turned to how hands are used for social connection, as a tool for recovery, sensuality, passion, prayer, protection, stress, signalling, a stop sign, of boundaries. We also reflected on how they can be destructive, violent tools. We talked of communicating with our hands, of healing, of rituals in recovery, of feeling, touching, loving. Of holding hands.”
Anonymous workshop participant.
Date: Until 8 July 2024
Location: Gallery Oldham