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On Severe ME Day, we stand in solidarity with those living with Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a devastating disease that leaves many patients confined to their beds, silenced, and invisible.
An estimated 25% of people with ME are severely or very severely affected, yet their suffering remains largely overlooked in healthcare, research, and policy.
This day, observed on August 8th in memory of Sophia Mirza, a British artist who died at 32 from Severe ME, demands recognition of the human cost of medical neglect and systemic inaction.
People from the global ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) community were encouraged to express their creativity, share their stories, and offer their unique perspectives through art as part of our Severe ME Day exhibition.
The art in this exhibition speaks where words often fail. Some pieces are raw and urgent; others, quiet and contemplative. Together, they bear witness, give voice, and pay tribute to lives hidden by illness and to those we have lost. Despite the challenges of living with ME, each piece in this exhibition is a testament to the strength, talent, and hope that shines through even in the darkest moments.
We hope this art exhibition fosters empathy, deepens awareness, and strengthens the call for recognition, policy, research, and compassionate care for all affected by Severe ME.
The time to see, hear, and act for those with Severe ME is now.
There are a few ways to view the Online Art Exhibition, see your choices below.
Tips
(i) You will find yourself on the Canva app to view the art exhibition.
You may need to click on the ‘Present’ button at the top right of the screen.
Then click on ‘Present Full Screen’ and then ‘Present’.
You can move to the next slide by clicking on the arrow to the right (>) and if you want to go back you click on the arrow facing left (<)
(ii) If watching on a small device like a mobile phone viewing may be better with the device placed on its side.
(iii) There is no sound except for the sound in two videos included in the exhibition.
(iv) Please click twice on the red play button (YouTube Videos) on slide 101 and slide 183
2. Video
Please see our online art exhibition via YouTube Video (approx. 55 mins long).
All you need to do is press play or pause as you wish.
Tips
Please be warned of a noisy advertisement that may load before the video on YouTube; you may wish to turn the sound off. There is no sound to accompany this format of the exhibition.
3. Exhibition via PDF Document
You can view the exhibition entries via Document in your own time.
The collaborative process required to produce an online art exhibition like this one involved a team of incredibly supportive and generous individuals working with us to create and present a cohesive and engaging exhibition to raise awareness about Severe ME, to witness and remember on Severe ME Day. A heartfelt thank you to each and everyone who supported our online art exhibition and shared their incredible artwork; it wouldn’t have been possible without you!
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Online Art Exhibition, ME Awareness Day, May 12th 2025
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Bring ME Out of the Shadows is an online art exhibition which was created to mark ME Awareness Day on May 12th, 2025.
Members of the global ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) community were invited to share their creativity, perspectives, and personal experiences through art for our May exhibition.
This exhibition brings together voices too often unseen or unheard, offering a powerful glimpse into life with ME. Through a diverse collection of works, Bring ME Out of the Shadows aims to raise awareness, foster connection, and celebrate resilience.
Please see our Bring ME Out of the Shadows online art exhibition published in May 2025 to mark ME Awareness Month. Together, these artworks form a powerful call for visibility, understanding, and change, bringing ME out of the shadows and into the light. There are two formats available below.
1. Art Exhibition Slideshow
Tips
(i) You will find yourself on the Canva app to view the art exhibition by slideshow.
You may need to click on the ‘Present’ button at the top right of the screen.
Then click on ‘Present Full Screen’ and then ‘Present’.
You can move to the next slide by clicking on the arrow to the right (>) and if you want to go back you click on the arrow facing left (<)
(ii) If watching on a small device like a mobile phone viewing may be better with the device placed on its side.
(iii) There is no sound.
Link to slideshow here
2. Art Exhibition Video
Tip
Please be warned of a noisy advertisement that may load before the video comes up on YouTube; you may wish to turn the sound off. There is sound to accompany this format of the exhibition.
May Art Exhibition Video: (approx. 50 mins)
