Featured artist: Amelia Baron

Amelia Baron is a recent graduate from Leeds Arts University, graduating with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art in 2018. Her latest project, Take 10, continues her work into art and mental health and debuts at Penistone Art Week from 20th - 22nd March 2019.

“Primarily my work approaches the topic of mental health within contemporary society. Art has always been a cathartic release for me but I realised I could also use it as a tool for communication. As my practice developed  I began to create performances to open up a dialogue surrounding mental health issues. I want to create an understanding between artist and audience, where people can explore issues together.

As much of my art is concept-based the media I work in varies according to each project. The majority of my artwork is enacted through durational performative which transforms a space into an installation. For the past six months I’ve been putting my energy into a project called Take 10.

Take 10 is an interactive performance piece based on communication in which I invite the audience to sit opposite myself and engage in conversation. Take 10 developed from my own experiences of mental health as well as an awareness of the increasing rates of mental health difficulties in society. When learning that the Penistone to Sheffield train line had one of the highest rates of suicide fatalities in the UK, I was driven to create a piece of art that would present this to a wider audience.

I’ll be performing Take 10 (as part of Penistone Art week in collaboration with Dwell Time) at Sheffield Train Station on the 20th, 21st and 22nd March, 10:30am - 4:30pm. Studies have shown that just 10 minutes of face to face interaction can reduce signs of depression, therefore by giving my time, I hope to offer a voice to those who may not otherwise have one, whilst also diminishing the stigma that so often accompanies mental health issues.”

To find out more or get involved, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/968460820209389

 

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