Leah May
Leah fundamentally uses textiles, but also likes to experiment with mixed media as a cathartic way to tell her experiences. She has found art helpful when going down conventional routes do not end in truths, closure or answers and believes that it is the best way to convey messages.
Housebound- Sought help for anxiety , 2022
Leah May
Mixed material quilt, hand embroidered with entries from clinical records and embellished with Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Handbook. Inspired by 16 months of inappropriate and detrimental treatment, having been referred to the mental health service for anxiety and shared experiences of those I met along the way.
Episodic Care, 2023
Leah May
Hand embroidered A5 canvas, embellished with snippets of diary entries from my old journals. Inspired by the use of episodic care in the treatment of those with complex trauma histories and the time-limited interventions that often leave people further traumatised and unable to move on.
Leah May, 2016
Modified clothes with articles about the trust, after being told to give positive and negative stories, juxtaposed with a ‘your voice matters’ jacket.
Hear Me Out, 2023
Leah May
Large mixed media canvas that incorporates painting, mark making, collage and textiles. Inspired by my journey within mental health services and how a history of trauma was turned into a personality disorder diagnosis and further compounded by stigma-fuelled treatment.
Black and White thinking, 2023
Leah May
5-piece canvas set sewn from scraps left behind by larger projects. Inspired by conflicting comments received whilst navigating the mental healthcare system. These left me confused and unable to access appropriate care. A nod to the unhelpful thinking habits mentioned in DBT programmes that are actively demonstrated by the services delivering it.
This Barbie has Complex Emotional Needs… whatever that means! 2023
Leah May
Machine-sewn take on the ‘traditional’ quilt, inspired by the ever-present hum of misogyny that remains within mental healthcare and the move to excessively categorising mental health presentations as ‘complex emotional needs’- whatever that means.
Nothing has changed , 2023
Leah May
A sewn piece depicting Hellesdon Hospital overlaid with words taken from historical archives and contrasted with present descriptions of experiences inside psychiatric hospitals. Existing literature from past to present implies shifts that until put side by side, demonstrate nothing has really changed.
F—king Ridiculous , 2023
Leah May
A4 printed copy of the discharge letter that landed on my doormat with no discussion, well-being check or plan; framed using a Capri sun box and decorated with gems, feathers, worms on a string and children’s stickers.
Emotional Baggage, 2022
Leah May
The rucksack I took with me to every appointment during the 8 years I engaged with services. Collaged with entries from clinical records and sewn with the stand-out words within these, inspired by the 16 months of treatment that ultimately left me further traumatised.
Hard Furnishings, 2022
Leah May
Collage of words relating to hard experiences of services, on a soft cushion cover.
Double Standards, 2023
Leah May and Fenn Harris
Textiles and acrylic paint
A piece explaining real experiences and behind in blue, experiences we hope service users can have in the future.
‘How many times is sorry said?’, 2023
Fenn Harris and Leah May
String, gesso, pastels, acrylic paint
5 various size panels
Not safe for treatment banner (COLLABORATION), 2022
Leah May and Fenn Harris
This is a collaboration piece and a community piece. We want this to act as a visitors book and we would welcome anyone who feels comfortable to add to it.
‘Falling through the cracks’, 2023
Leah May and Fenn Harris
Mirror and chalk paint
‘Tick box exercise’, 2022
Leah May and Fenn Harris
Mixed media on cardboard
