Bethlem Gallery’s Mental Health and Justice project presents Future Selves, a collection of textile sculptures, altered objects and drawings by Beth Hopkins in response to current research at King’s College London on advance directives and bipolar.
Beth’s work is driven by process, materials and repetition. Fabric is subject to in-depth testing -it is gathered, stuffed, contorted, twisted and bound. It is combined with concrete, plaster and wax -fixing it in place. Through making, Beth unpicks the concept of control in uncontrollable situations, including the experience of mania or psychosis.
Watch this short video to hear from Beth about the creation of this work.
The book Future Selves, a collection of accounts of discussions between people with experience of bipolar, is available to buy from the Bethlem Gallery online shop
See more of Beth’s work on her website or visit her artist page on the Bethlem Gallery website.
The Mental Health and Justice project is a collaborative, innovative endeavour that places artists and their practice at the heart of current research. Learn more about the project here.
