We invited artists living with ME to contribute artwork to an online art exhibition to mark ME Awareness Day and to join us from home to help bring ME out of the shadows.
Art and creativity in ME that results in artwork or a creation is one of the most powerful ways to get attention from others to learn about ME, to raise awareness and educate about ME.
Artists living with ME include patients, their carers, advocates, family members and friends. Individuals have shared their experience of Life with ME through their art.
All types of artwork are included in our online exhibition - painting, drawing, photography, knitted/crocheted work, sculpture, pottery, etc.
The exhibition was inspired by contemporary artists & creatives in our ME community in Ireland and worldwide, and influenced by their various art and creations.
The collaborative process was positive and involved individuals from various backgrounds contributing towards a common goal, i.e., to 'bring ME out of the shadows'.
The collaborative process for an online art exhibition like this involved a team of supportive and generous individuals working with us to create and present a cohesive and engaging exhibition to raise awareness about ME and Severe ME.
There are a few ways to view the Online Art Exhibition:
1. 50-minute video
Please see the art exhibition via One Drive which plays the full exhibition for you (50 mins long) All you need to do is press play, or pause as you wish.
Each slide lasts 20 seconds to give you time to view each page. The video of the art exhibition is linked here: https://bit.ly/437C0AA
2. View at Your Own Pace via Canva Slideshow
You can view a presentation of the exhibition via the link to Canva where you manage viewing yourself, link here: https://bit.ly/3Fa2sl1
(How to view on Canva - you can unmute the volume button if you wish to listen to music as you watch. You can move to the next slide using the arrow to the right (>) and if you want to go back you click on the arrow facing left (<)
3. View via Google Drive Document
You can look at the exhibition entries and exhibition details via the link here:
(just scroll down the document at your own pace)
We would like to involve you from home by asking you to:
a. Watch the online exhibition of artwork by individuals in the ME community and share it if you can to #bringMEoutoftheshadows There is a share button on the first choice above.
b. Please share feedback on the art you have seen or on the idea of the importance of art in illness/disability by commenting if you can.
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The response to the callout for artists was incredible! Thanks to all the artists and creatives who contributed to our online exhibition.
#bringMEoutoftheshadows
