Disability Arts Online

EQUINOX

Into the Light

Location: THE CROFT, Slack Lane, Ripley, Derbyshire - Click for map

18 April 2012 to 3 May 2012 5.30pm other days by appt please telephone as appt only

free

Next week shines a light on the latest creative chapter for a local photographer who has been living with anxiety and depression for over 17 years.

Tony Fisher will launch his exhibition ‘Into the Light’ at the Rethink Mental Illness community service where he has received support for the last three years

Interview/filming/photography opportunity: Media and photographers are invited to the launch at Rethink Mental Illness community service, The Croft, Slack Lane, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3HF on Wednesday 18th April 2012 at 5.30pm. Please contact Lucy Ing to arrange interviews with Tony Fisher, email lucy.ing@rethink.org or call 07918 617302

Inspiration for the exhibition comes from Tony’s experiences of mental health problems brought on following an extremely challenging time where his wife died after a battle with motor neurone disease, he lost both parents, and had to come to terms with his children being cared for by other family members while Tony tried to manage his own health.

Tony said: “I had worked as a self employed photographer before losing my wife so I’d always had a passion for photography. After she died, and I lost my parents soon after, things seemed to spiral out of control. It was very difficult to motivate myself and I lost hope that I could get back to who I was before.

“Over the years friends moved away and I became more and more socially isolated and struggled to form relationships. I’d lost interest in the things I used to enjoy and my photography was put to the back of my mind.

“When I finally sought help from my doctor I was referred to the Rethink Mental Illness community service where I was able to take art classes and get involved in day trips. This really helped to boost my confidence and get me socially interacting again.”

The exhibition of Tony’s photographs has attracted interest from the arts office for cultural diversity at Nottingham Arts Council, who are advising Tony on how to get funding for future projects.

“Creating the images in this exhibition has been a therapeutic process and has helped me gain new perspective on my mental health problems. It’s been my opportunity to explore this beautiful world again and have hope for the future. I hope other people who experience similar enduing mental distress, look for support and explore creative activities to help them on the road to recovery, as recovery really is possible,” added Tony.

How to book:
Telephone: 01773 513508. Fax: 01773 513196. E-mail: Ian.robinson@rethink.org