The third edition of Tavi Open has launched at the Tavistock Centre in London. This collective exhibition celebrates the creativity and talent of the Tavistock’s service users, students, staff, and local artists. This year, it features 58 artworks by 27 artists in a wide variety of styles and mediums.

Tavi Open 2024 is the tenth exhibition that I had a pleasure to organise as the Art Curator at the Tavistock. The Art Board worked hard on putting it together, and it was thrilling to see it come to fruition. We were pleased with the response rate, the variety of artworks, and inspired by the many personal stories behind them.

One of the contributors is Chrysanthi Theodoropoulou, a photographic artist from Greece and a member of the Art Board. She said “I am particularly happy to have helped organise and participate in the third open art exhibition at the Tavistock and Portman. Art signifies not only an emotional expression or a conversation around beauty, but most importantly, a form of communication within a community. That makes our open art exhibition, where anyone can participate, an exceptional form of dialogue regarding our wellbeing.”

The private view on 19th April was a joyous evening of networking and discussing all things creative with fellow artists. Clinical Psychologist and amateur artist Luciane Borges commented that it “was all so well organised and nice”. After taking part in the 2022 edition, Luciane returned with a very moving piece When She Died, dedicated to her late friend. It consists of a drawing in charcoal and pencil, and a poem.

Psychotherapist and artist Margot Schiemann also congratulated on a “very diverse and interesting exhibition, with so many different artists.” She went on to say that “it was very successful and there was a pleasant atmosphere in the group.” Margot is exhibiting three of her mixed media paintings, and will be coming back with a solo exhibition this November.

Margot Schiemann

Gareth Schweitzer

Gareth Schweitzer and Richard Frost returned on the back of their respective solo exhibitions earlier this year. Patchwork artist Jo Aidoo also had a successful solo exhibition last October, celebrating Black History Month. For Tavi Open 2024, she’s back with three artworks, including the politically-charged Broken Home Office. Jo hinted that she’s working on a new piece about homelessness. She didn’t spare words commenting on the Prime Minister’s recent heartless statement on rough sleepers.

Jo Aidoo

Other returning artists include musician and collage artists Jocelyn West, psychotherapist and photographic artist Andy Wiener, and librarian and embroidery artist Polly Mortimer. Polly and her sister Lucy Fisher are returning to the Tavistock this August with a solo exhibition.

Andy Wiener

Artist known as HoneyB is exhibiting two impressive acrylic portraits: You Know I’m Still Here, Right? and The Yellow Book. Of the former, she said: “The half moon has often been a symbol for depression. I wanted to show that sometimes it’s best to acknowledge a low feeling than constantly fight it.” The latter was inspired by her “infrequent journaling. Over time, I realised my notes tell a real story.”

Gail Ferguson’s acrylic painting Message in a Bottle explores “the treatment of women’s mental health in academic and institutional settings and the damage with which the patriarchal society has bottle-fed women.” It alludes to Freud’s hypothesis of hysteria (spot the label on the titular bottle).

Gail Ferguson

One of the young artists is Telisha Blake-Barnes, who submitted two watercolour paintings. Her mother Faye Barnes said “Thank you so much for including my daughter’s pictures. You have really given her more confidence to study art. A real boost.” I couldn’t have wished for a more encouraging feedback!

Tavi Open 2024 runs until 27th May at the Tavistock Centre (120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA).