Take a look ‘Inside Adam’s Mind’ at mental health-inspired Oldham art exhibition
Date published: 11 October 2021
Adam Bromiley-Haslam is pictured with four of his paintings
A local artist has unveiled a very personal exhibition at a community art gallery in Oldham, which details the story behind his mental health journey.
Adam Bromiley-Haslam, aged 28 from Oldham, has a 30-piece exhibition on display at Gallery Oldham called ‘Inside Adam’s Mind’.
It is inspired from overcoming the hallucinations and delusions he’s experienced during a ten-year battle with paranoid schizophrenia.
The exhibition is open to the public until November 13.
Adam, who is supported by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust which runs mental health and learning disability services in Oldham, was an enthusiastic painter as a child and now uses his artistic talents as a way of managing his mental health.
He said: “Because of my schizophrenia, I can’t do lots of things that many people take for granted, so spending time sitting in front of my canvas seems like a very positive thing to do.”
Following his schizophrenia diagnosis ten years ago, Adam took inspiration from the work of Bryan Charnley, another British artist who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
He hopes that his open approach to his condition can help others who are in similar situations.
Adam said: “I post a lot of my art on Instagram, and I encourage anyone who might be going through the same experiences to get in touch and ask any questions. I’d love to build an online community where people can feel safe and able to be themselves.”
Amer Raza, Adam’s social worker from Oldham community mental health team at Pennine Care, believes art has played a big part in helping Adam manage his condition.
Amer said: “It has been a huge privilege to work with Adam and observe the passion he has for art and creativity.
"He openly acknowledges the ongoing challenges with his mental health, but he positively deals with them by painting his emotions, thoughts, feelings and imaginations on to the canvas.”
Adam’s artwork is also playing an important role in supporting other patients at Pennine Care.
As part of the recent refurbishment of Cherrywood Clinic at Royal Oldham Hospital, Adam donated a painting titled ‘Adam and Eve’, aimed to help create a more peaceful and calming experience for patients who use the building.
Click here for more information on Adam’s exhibition.
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