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Please note the Museum is closed from 22 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 inclusive.
Last day open 2024: Saturday 21 December.  First day open 2025: Thursday 2 January.

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Art from Ephemera: new Exhibition at Bethlem Gallery

In this joint exhibition, between the Bethlem Art Studio and Bethlem Archives and Museum, artists combine use of the everyday and 'throwaway'. Their art uses items selected from the Museum's collection of ephemera.

Ephemera are the bits and pieces of everyday life - postcards, stamps, tickets, receipts and doodles - that normally wouldn't merit a second glance. Artists, however, have used the ephemeral to explore themes of memory, loss and the beauty of the overlooked.

The gallery is an extension of Bethlem Arts Studios, which provide weekly creative sessions for patients within Bethlem Royal Hospital’s Occupational Therapy programme. Michaela Ross, Art Coordinator at the Bethlem explains “The exhibition grew out of the desire to pay attention to objects that might often be overlooked or undervalued. In a world where people and things are put into boxes and categories, the artists have chosen to make objects and images that are not so easily labeled or contained.”

Artists include Phil Baird, Jane Fradgley, Sue, Terence Wilde, Katy Phillips, Peter, James Tanner, Sebastian Jones and Sue Morgan.

Exhibition opens 22 June, 3-6pm, all welcome.

Exhibition continues: 23 June - 22 July, Wednesday - Friday 11am - 6pm and Satuday 2 July, 12-5pm.

Bethlem Gallery, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX

Nearest British Rail Station: Eden Park