How Painting Changed My Life

A display of work by local artist Jane Southern, exploring the positive role art can play in mental health recovery.

Jane has taught herself to paint as a way of dealing with challenging personal issues, with many paintings inspired by her experience of walking Cornwall’s coast.

Through her work, which is brought to life by personal insights and candid filmed interviews, visitors will gain an understanding of how she has used art to help her to deal with trauma and grief. Jane feels a sense of achievement from having started her journey with no idea of how to paint. This quality of openness and vulnerability – as an artist, as a human being – will be reflected in the range of artwork displayed, which will include her earliest and most recent pieces, and work showing the techniques and insights gained from attending art workshops.

The exhibition aims tell a story of personal and artistic struggle and growth that we can all feel a connection to.

This exhibition is part of the Museum’s experimental and organic series of artist-led exhibitions created in response to our maritime world.

Jane Southern