A photographer hopes to make use of an exhibition to interrupt down stigmas and “open up conversations about mental health”.

Richard Walsh, 45, picked up a digicam for the primary time whereas he was at The Matthew Project going by way of restoration.

He will present a collaboration of labor on the Bluey Bluey gallery in Norwich in May, highlighting how artwork can be utilized as a type of remedy throughout restoration.

“If you go to an exhibition that’s based on mental health then everything’s on the wall there – the conversation is already open,” he stated.

When Mr Walsh’s sister died, he determined it was time for him to get higher himself, and he went to The Matthew Project.

The project works with younger folks and adults to beat drug, alcohol and psychological well being points and affords companies to households affected by substance misuse.

It was after he joined the challenge and obtained assist that he picked up a digicam for the primary time.

“I never had an interest in photography before… When you’re in recovery I think boredom is the biggest thing to lead you back into addiction,” he stated.

After shopping for a digicam throughout lockdown, he utilized to review images at Norwich University of the Arts, the place he has labored with different college students.

“Doing that was quite liberating. I find it hard to talk about my own personal emotions… Collaborating with the other artists, a lot of stories come out. It’s not just myself… the other students use art as a therapy for themselves or to help others.”

The exhibition will run at Bluey Bluey from 5 May to eight May.

“Its trying to open conversations around mental health,” Mr Walsh stated.

“There are all these stigmas around it, but if you go to an exhibition that’s based on mental health then everything’s on the wall there – the conversation is already open.”