Paintings in Hospitals and Central Saint Martins three-year collaborative project Art in Large Doses draws to a close with a final exhibition ‘The Green Room’ at King’s College London from 05 February 2020 to 31 January 2021.

In 2019, our Art in Large Doses project saw emerging curators from the BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation course at Central Saint Martins propose an art exhibition to support the mental health and wellbeing of student patients at King's College London NHS Health Centre. The proposals were showcased during Creativity & Wellbeing Week (5-9th June 2019) before the final exhibition was selected by the health centre.

Kate Friend, Raspberry Leaf, 2019

Higher education raises unique challenges to students’ mental health and wellbeing. Approximately 29% of students experience clinical levels of psychological distress, associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression and personality disorders. The CSM students explore ways in which art can support the physical and mental health of their peers, while pushing the boundaries of what is expected of art in healthcare settings.

Simon Carter, The Pier and the Beach, 2009

‘The Green Room’ brings together a variety of paintings, photographs and moving images, including works by Simon Carter, Kate Friend and James Smith, that explore the importance of nature for positive wellbeing and mental health. Curated by Khushi Bansal, Emma Barratt, Melanie Khorshidian-Sabet and Saul Wickremasinghe, the exhibition's approach is multi-faceted. It provides a visual representation of nature within a healthcare space and also serves as a reminder of the ecological aspects of cityscapes.

James Smith, Sarawak, Kampong, 2009

Parallels are drawn between reciprocal relationships in ecological systems and the vital role of communication and community within student environments. The emerging curators aim to create a space of contemplation positioned at the intersection of art and an increasingly recognised branch of natural science.

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