“It is gratifying to see the artwork born through our transatlantic collaborative experience”
Bethlem Gallery announced the completion of a yearlong project with Fountain House Gallery – the premier venue in New York City representing artists living with mental illness.
Over the course of a year, artists from New York and London met weekly online to collaborate and work through a series of artistic provocations. Conceived by Fountain House Gallery and Studio artist Vermillion and led by Fountain House Studio Director Karen Gormandy, the project will culminate in two exhibitions – one in London and the other in New York City – both titled Unfurling: Coming Out of Isolation.
Joanne Barrett said:
“As a neurodivergent artist, isolation is my comfort; my art needs to be made in a peaceful space. The meetings with New York and UK artists dragged me out, to others, to the group, and towards work that was different. As artists we sometimes struggled to describe, understand or explain but to me now in the exhibition the artworks sit together, alongside each other, a gathering, a conversation.”
Karim Sultan said:
“It has been clear that the collaboration between both Fountain House and Bethlem Gallery artists has had a strong, positive, and lasting impact on the artists we work with. International collaborations like this are an important part of how artists work, share, and develop ideas. Each artist’s work represents a way of viewing and moving through the world, and for this to be developed in such a meaningful collaboration across borders and continents, only adds to its importance.”
Karen Gormandy said:
“For a full year beginning in November 2024, artists of Fountain House Gallery and Bethlem
Gallery began a series of artmaking sessions examining what being in isolation is, and how it manifested for them as artists and individuals. More than 20 artists of both galleries ‘met’ for weekly, two-hour Zoom sessions, during which they shared their work and insights on the project. In addition, they exchanged emails and posted about themselves and their art practices via an online forum. Although separated by an ocean, the artists came together each Saturday to explore what it means to be isolated and what might motivate them to move away from that state.”
Vermillion added:
“It is gratifying to see the artwork born through our transatlantic collaborative experience – a lovely unfurling of energies and expressions. To witness the growing of this show from the germ of an idea that came to me while visiting Bethlem Gallery cements my belief that working toward a better world, one step at a time – reaching out to each other – can build a communal space regardless of the surrounding turmoil. The excitement in the rooms! Oh, to hear those British and American accents! The intelligence, curiosity, resonance. The depth of feeling. The friendship blossoming. We did this!”
On display at the combined locations will be more than 80 pieces, spanning media including ceramic, textile, video, painting, drawing, poetry and prose – and a collection of postcards sent between the London and New York City artists. A full-colour book, featuring selected works and insights by the artists and curators, will be available for purchase.
On Thursday 23 July, Bethlem Gallery and Fountain House Gallery will host combined programming via Zoom, including performances, artist talks, and a video screening, from 4pm-7pm BST/ 11am-2pm EST.
Free Admission. Details can be found at this link: https://bethlemgallery.com/whats-on/exhibition-unfurling-coming-out-of-isolation/
The London show, curated by Bethlem Gallery artist Joanne Barrett and Bethlem Gallery Curator, Karim Sultan, will open with a reception at Bethlem on 23 July 2026, from 4pm to 7pm BST and will remain on view until 5 September.
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 9.30am-5pm
