Addicts And Those Who Love Them, portraits and words from addiction

"Thank you for humanising addicts and giving them a voice. A really empathetic, moving exhibition."

Opening event Monday 19 August 6-9pm. All welcome. Exhibition open from Tuesday 20 - Sunday 25 August. 12pm - 6pm daily. Entrance free.

My sons suffered dark and relentless drink and drug addictions. When they felt all hope was gone, they left this world a year apart. They were 27 and 29.

Each person in this exhibition has allowed themselves to be seen and heard talking about addictions, despite the shame attached to it and the blame, punishment and neglect many experience. It is difficult to speak of addiction and how it affects those who live with or alongside it. We don’t want to admit things are so bad with addiction in our lives because of the craziness, relentlessness and the destruction it causes, and because it is such a dark secret, we forget that we are not alone. We need each other.

Our addicts can be awful. Manipulating, lying, violent, antisocial and relentless. They are also funny kind, sad, lonely and lost. It can take years to learn to live clean and sober. Many don’t make it. Ian, the face of the exhibition poster took 12 years to become sober after 40 years of alcoholism. Every day he works at it. Gill’s sister did not make it, she died of her alcoholism as did Ceri’s mother. Gill and Ceri are in the exhibition.

This exhibition shines a light on addiction and on the people involved. Maybe good will come of it for all of us. And still we love.

Category: Arts | Visual Arts | Galleries / Art