Eclectic Projects

Making Room

Nicole Morris

Making Room is a studio space for people living with mental health in both clinical and community settings. The project, led by artist Nicole Morris, commenced in March 2024 with a pilot series of workshops in Lambeth Hospital’s Leo ward and Nelson’s ward; acute units for people experiencing mental illness.

Sessions invite patients to try out new activities and use different mediums in a non- judgmental, safe space. Some people are keen to try everything whilst others are happy to explore one new idea or material. We share work made and celebrate achievements with a drink and snack together. Outcomes have been displayed throughout the wards, Making Room in an institutional space for a studio to exist.

This new two-year project will continue to work closely with South London Maudsley Hospital, developing and researching progressive ways that art practice and health care services can intersect. Moving forward we hope to also work with people at the point of discharge, offering a continuity of support and wellbeing into the community.

Nicole’s previous project: Drawing Act I: Labour, Faith, Exhaustion worked closely with women from The Bridge and Southwark Women’s Space- two spaces that support the mental health and wellbeing of local women.

Nicole Morris is an artist working in textiles and film across exhibition, learning and community contexts. Recent projects include: Filling Gaps, Mind in Camden and Foundling Museum (2024); Resist, Coborn Centre Adolescent Mental Health (2024); Feeling Blue, Her Centre, Solace and National Maritime Museum (2024); Drawing Act 1, Drawing Room, London (2020); Making in Isolation, together, [ SPACE ] commissions, London (2020). Recent exhibitions include: Drawing Biennial, Drawing Room, London (2024), Discoveries V, Fiumano Clase, London (2024); Drawing Biennial, Drawing Room, London (2021); Dear World, Wellcome Centre for Neuroimaging commission, UCL, London (2020); Survey, G39, Cardiff; Bluecoat, Liverpool; Baltic, Gateshead and Jerwood, London (2018-19).

Thank you to all involved:

Patients & Staff, Leo Ward, Lambeth Hospital

Patients & Staff, Nelsons Ward, Lambeth Hospital

Asha Fontenelle, Workshop Assistant, Drawing Room

Betsy Dadd, Learning Curator, Drawing Room

Daphne Greca, Kings College Hospital Volunteer

Deirdre McGale, Apprentice Occupational Therapist

Genevieve Miller, Learning Coordinator, Drawing Room

Mary Doyle, Co-Director, Drawing Room

Nicole Morris, Artist

Saneen Nasim Aram Veetil, Senior Occupational Therapist

Srikanth Jeyaparam, Workshop Assistant, Drawing Room

Tannia Culqui Calderon, Senior Occupational Therapist

Will Nicholls, Workshop Assistant, Drawing Room

 

Generously supported by Chandrika Baji Pathak  and Warburg Pincus