Studies have shown that there is a clear intersectionality between neurodiversity and addiction. Often due to a shared difficulty with communication, social situations, feelings of dissociation and not fitting into societal norms.
Led by Manchester-based visual artist Will Belshah, this event will explore relationships and differing perspectives on Neurodivergent artistic practice and substance use (prescribed or illicit) as part of a creative workshop/discussion. Through a combination of group discussion and creative responses, audiences and speakers will be able to paint their discursive outcomes onto a canvas. This collaborative, creative process supports increased human connection for contextualising emotions, feelings and intent through a shared lived experience.
Speaker contributions include artist Will Belshah, Amanda Sutton (Director of Venture Arts), Dominic Pillai (Curator of Social Engagement at PORe), Lisa Williams (Lecturer in Criminology, School of Law, University of Manchester and Dr Michelle Hacking, a Clinical Psychologist, specialising in autism and neurodivergence.
Led by Portraits of Recovery, this commences a 12-month project in partnership with Venture Arts and HOME’s artist development programme. Resulting in a series of new works by Will for exhibition within HOME’s Granada Foundation Gallery for Recoverist Month 2025.
Speaker details:
Will Belshah is a neurodivergent queer artist living & working in Manchester UK & working predominantly with paint.
Amanda Sutton is the Director of Venture Arts, a visual arts organisation that works with learning-disabled and neurodiverse artists based in Manchester.
Dominic Pillai is the Curator of Social Engagement at Portraits of Recovery (PORe), a pioneering visual arts charity based in Manchester, inspiring and supporting people affected by and in recovery from substance use. Dominic has lived experience of neurodiversity and recovery.
Dr Lisa Williams is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Manchester. She teaches students about drugs and drug policy. Her research engages with people with lived experience and has turned to using arts-based approaches in her research, including photography and cross-stitching to provoke public conversations about drugs and drug policy.
Dr Michelle Hacking is a Clinical Psychologist, specialising in autism and neurodivergence. Her NHS role is working with homeless adults experiencing co-occurring mental health, and drug and alcohol use. Michelle also works alongside SICK! Festival, exploring mental health through art.
18+ event
Book tickets.
A Recoverist Month event that, through the arts, changes the conversation on substance use and recovery.
Recoverist = Recovery + Activist
Recoverist Month September 2024 is an initiative led by Portraits of Recovery: a pioneering, Manchester-based, visual arts charity.
