For centuries, the therapeutic value of art on mental wellbeing has been recognised. Even the renowned artist Picasso is quoted as saying 'Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.' Over many years the annual CCA Art & Photographic Competition has been privileged to attract many beautiful and original pieces of art in a wide range of media and styles created by service users and carers.
2019 Winner!
"Light At The End Of The Tunnel"
"Light At The End Of The Tunnel" by David Stocks
About the Entry
"I have been through very dark times this year, starting with the loss of our dog ‘Storm’ on January 2nd. Having struggled a long time with a bipolar mental health condition, depression brought on by mood dips is something I have battled through with the support of my wife Jules, who carried me through those dark times. For the first time with the loss of ‘Storm’ Jules hit her own dark patch. ‘Storm’ was a real character and left a huge hole in our lives. We eventually rescued another dog ‘Plato’, who had been saved from the kill pounds in Sarajevo (Bosnia). Although ‘Storm’ can never be replaced, Plato has helped us out of the dark and brought some light back into our lives again. This picture was taken on 27th June 2019. It is of my wife walking Plato as we emerged from a tunnel into the light. It is symbolic, as Plato’s companionship guides us out of the tunnel into the light and on the road to recovery"
“I was delighted to be asked to judge the CCA Annual Art & Photographic competition again this year.
This is such a powerful image that conjures up feelings of hope and moving forward. It really represents the long and difficult road to recovery. I loved the story of Plato the dog helping you out of the darkness. A well deserved winner - well done!”
Naomi Tipping, Art & Photographic Competition Judge
Highly Commended
"Tree and Woodland Scene Project" by Mothers at the Beeches Perinatal Unit
About the Entry
With the support of Kath, the mums on the unit planned how they would redecorate the ‘Sensory Room’. Together, they came up with the idea of a woodland scene with a big tree that they would populate with animals. Kath says "I think we are all pleased with how the scene has turned out – its really cheerful, and its great that so many mums have contributed."
"Tree and Woodland Scene Project" by Mothers at the Beeches Perinatal Unit
“The Tree and Woodland Scene was picked highly commended because it is a brilliant collaboration. You told your own stories which together make this hopeful and cheerful image. I loved the theme of the mother and baby owl - the baby owls are ready to start their journey, with the mother owls protecting and helping them all the way.”
“The Tree and Woodland Scene was picked highly commended because it is a brilliant collaboration. You told your own stories which together make this hopeful and cheerful image. I loved the theme of the mother and baby owl - the baby owls are ready to start their journey, with the mother owls protecting and helping them all the way.”
Highly Commended
About the Entry
"My aim with this piece of work is to portray that Recovery, like a book, does not move only forward; that you can move back and forth with your story, as situations chop and change. Hopefully what you learn along the way is that distress in not static; it’s not permanent, and there are always things to hold hope for. Whether through an interdependent relationship to someone or a set of skills and coping techniques; there is always room for positive change. My story is still going – so is yours… "
"Awareness Leads to Understanding, Understanding Leads to Change" by Anonymous
"A sensitive collection of illustrations and writing. I liked the idea of producing them on pages of a book to represent a story, going backwards and forwards - a clever idea well executed."
"A sensitive collection of illustrations and writing. I liked the idea of producing them on pages of a book to represent a story, going backwards and forwards - a clever idea well executed."