Open Arts 'My Self'

In 2019 MESS ROOM collaborated with Sun Pier House CIC on their Open Arts programme to deliver 'My Self’
in partnership with MESS ROOM artists Wendy Daws and Christopher Sacre.

Film of My Self by Thomas Giddens

‘My Self’ was designed specifically for blind and partially sighted, Deaf and hearing impaired people, young people and their families. People of all ages from 3 months to 96 years took part in creative workshops to create an inclusive group exhibition exploring identity. The sessions took place in the accessible MESS ROOM art studio, on the ground floor Sun Pier House and on-site at Medway schools. The collection of painting, sculpture, mixed media and collage made for an exciting exhibition, and our very own ‘Shed’ installation. The artist groups included the Kent Association for the Blind Medway Art Group, Medway Deaf Club, Peer Arts, students from Danecourt School, Barnsole Primary Trust, All Faiths Children's Academy, and young children and families from Sip and Sign.

The Open Arts ‘My Self’ project culminated in a series of exhibitions at Sun Pier House Gallery, a second exhibition during the Medway Open Studios Arts Festival held in The Crypt at Rochester Cathedral and a third exhibition in Sittingbourne across three sites – at Ideas Test, Phoenix House and Sittingbourne Library. The ‘My Self’ Sharing Event, at Sun Pier House, gave the opportunity for the artists and partners to share their experience and was captured and live scribed by Mark Barnes. ‘My Self’ engaged high audience numbers (32,158) with more diverse audiences being reached during the exhibitions and workshops with British Sign Language (BSL), Braille descriptions, tactile and audio described tours. The ‘My Self’ Wonky Portrait workshops popped up in the exhibition spaces and were a great hit.