This spring sees the finale of the sophomore year of our collaborative project with Central Saint Martins as we launch new exhibition Bathed in Blue at King’s College London from 24 January 2019.

University raises unique challenges to students’ mental health and wellbeing. Approximately 29% of students experience clinical levels of psychological distress, associated with an increased risk of anxiety, depression and personality disorders.

Earlier this year, our Art in Larger Doses project asked emerging curators from the BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation course at Central Saint Martins to propose an art exhibition to support the mental health and wellbeing of student patients at King's College London NHS Health Centre.

'Cyanotype B' by Jess Reeves (left) and '100 Lengths' by Kate Wixley. Part of the Bathed in Blue exhibition.

The students explored ways in which art can support their peers, while also pushing the boundaries of what is expected of art in care spaces. Their proposals were showcased during Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2018 before the final exhibition, Bathed in Blue, was selected by the health centre.

Feeling blue is often related to negative emotions but the Bathed in Blue exhibition proposes to embrace the colour. Described as “the colour of interior life” by essayist William H. Gass, the blue artworks selected by the emerging CSM curators allow viewers to immerse themselves in the soothing qualities of the deepness of the sea, the pureness of the sky or the fluidity of water.

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