Mental health through the lens (From Your Local Guardian)

Mental health through the lens

1:40pm Thursday 4th September 2008 in

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A photography exhibition exploring the life of a schizophrenic man has moved from Springfield Hospital to a gallery in central London.

“Devon - a Sound Mind” charts the years Kris Allen spent photographing Devon Marston, a self-professed “survivor of the mental health system”.

The exhibition was part of the Battersea-based Sound Minds art and music project and will be at Westminster Reference Library this week.

Mr Allen said: “Of all the people at the Sound Minds Project, I particularly warmed to Devon. I made the suggestion to him then about doing a form of documentary on his daily life.”

The 26 pictures taken over five years show Mr Marston going about his daily activities, working on projects and even meeting Lenny Henry.

Mr Maston helped found the Sound Minds Project, which uses the arts as therapy for sufferers of mental health conditions.

He is an actor, singer and songwriter is currently involved in seven bands, playing guitar and drums.

Mr Allen added: “We want as many people as possible to see the pictures, and hope that they will take away a positive feeling about someone who is suffering from this illness. We want to, in some small way, to break down the stigma that surrounds it.”

The show will be at Westminster until September 6, followed by the Bromley-by-Bow Centre between September 8 and 25 and Putney Library between September 29 and October 11.

• For more information click here or email kris@krisallan.com.