Mary Barnes
Going Down, Coming Up: Mary Barnes at Kingsley Hall – a discussion concerning the life and work of Mary Barnes
Where?
129-131 Mare St, London, E8 3RH
When?
02.12.10 (exhibition runs until 18.12.10)
Start time: 8:00pm
How Much?
Cost: This event is free and complimentary tea will be served.
In 1965 radical psychiatrist R.D. Laing co-founded an experimental therapeutic community at Kingsley Hall in Bow, East London. Presenting herself on the brink of a serious mental breakdown, Mary Barnes (1923-2001) was Kingsley Hall’s first resident.
Her works, vivid oils often depicting religious themes – were first shown at the Camden Arts Centre in 1969. She subsequently became a respected artist, painting evocative works based on her experiences and showing her work on tour worldwide, accompanying it with talks on her experiences and mental health. In 1979 a play was produced, with script by Barnes with David Edgar.
In 1985, she moved to Scotland. Something Sacred, her book of conversations, writings and paintings, was published in 1989. In 1993, she moved to Tomintoul, where she died in 2001.
As part of SPACE’s ongoing exhibition of artwork by Mary Barnes (exhibition runs until December 18th), a unique discussion regarding the life and work Mary Barnes takes place on Thursday December 2nd. Also focussing on the radical psychiatric context of Barnes’ experience at Kingsley Hall, the discussion features Joseph Berke, Leon Redler and Morton Schatzmann – all of whom lived and worked with Barnes at Kingsley Hall between 1965-1970.
Booking: Please email paul@spacestudios.org.uk to reserve a place.
