What's On | Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival

The 2021 NIMHAF programme is now live!

~ Throughout Festival ~

Throughout

Anushiya Sundaralingam:

'Tanimai I'

‘Tanimai’ is my response to the notion of loneliness.
Inspired by my memories of nature, growing up in Sri Lanka, and more recent reflections during ‘lockdown’.

Go

Throughout

Brain Injury Matters
@ Arts for All:

'Unexpected Happenings'

An exhibition of drawings, paintings, mixed media and photography created during the pandemic on Zoom through workshops with adults with an acquired brain injury

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Throughout

Brain Injury Matters
@ Belfast Exposed:

'Looking Through

Our Eyes'

Exhibition exploring the theme of portraits by a group of individuals who have an acquired brain injury.

Go

Throughout

Brain Injury Matters:

'Let Your
Imagination Flow'

'Let Your Imagination Flow' animation created by Brain Injury Matters participants, staff and families.

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You Do Not Know What You Have Missed - C

Throughout

Cathal Cully:

'You Do Not Know What You Have Missed'

'You Do Not Know What You Have Missed' explores the idea of loneliness through the gaze of a parallel limbo of time.

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Throughout

Cathy Scullion:

'The Sound of Silence'

'The Sound of Silence' creates a visualisation of how loneliness can make a person feel: invisible and isolated.

Go

Throughout

Chad Alexander:

'Moon and Branches'

'Moon and Branches' is a photograph created during a late night walk.

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Throughout

NIIHR Art Project Group: 'The Clearing'

'The Clearing' is a short dance film produced by the Northern Ireland Institute of Human Relations’ Psychoanalytic Art Project.

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Throughout

Christopher Steenson:

'Field Walk 040121'

'Field Walk 040121' is a sound walk recorded from the 'point of hearing' of the artist, following his journey along a pilgrim route.

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Throughout

Clare McQuillan:

'Wild Super Champ Pie'

Go

A new pie based on an old-fashioned make-do family dish called and including wild ingredients.

Throughout

Damo Laughlin

& Autumns

Go

Conversation / Lozenges is a collaborative artwork created by Autumns’ Christian Donaghey and visual artist Damo Laughlin.

Throughout

Documenta
& Colm Laverty

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Double bill of film premieres by Colm Laverty and Documenta.

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Throughout

EG Dunne

'Invisible'

'Invisible' is a poem and meditation on loneliness and visibility and more.

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Throughout

Elspeth Vischer & Aidan Vischer:

'A Message to Darkness'

'A Message To Darkness' is a short documentary about the creative output of Aidan Vischer, an artist living in Belfast.

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Throughout

Emer Maguire

Special

The benefits of music and comedy, told through musical comedy. Tunes, facts and more in this NIMHAF special from Emer Maguire.

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Throughout

Heather Dornan Wilson:

'When I'm Alone... At least, I'd Rather Be Alone
With The Sky'

Film exploring moments of loneliness, aloneness and connection. In these spaces, we experience the pain and joy of being deeply human and discover the possibility of finding freedom in our own skin.

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Throughout

Helen Hall:

'A Moment Alone'

Dance artist Helen Hall Arts explores a brief moment in time when she finds herself alone.

A moment to simply breathe.

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The Ground Between Us 1 by Jacqueline Wy

Throughout

Jacqueline Wyle:

'The Ground Between Us'

& 'Life Goes On'

A selection of constructed photographs on the theme of loneliness and an exhibition at The Strand Arts Centre.

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They Live, but the glasses don't work.JP

Throughout

Joseph Nawaz:

'Loneliness'

He can't spell it, but he sure as hell can write about it. Read Joe's thoughts on the theme of loneliness: from Forster (Robert of course, no, not that one) to Bowie, to Joe himself.

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Throughout

Kieran Stewart:

'Loneliness'

Honest account on the effects of brain injury and the theme of loneliness from Kieran Stewart.

Also featuring a podcast and artwork.

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Throughout

Leo Lardie:

'Loneliness'

Leo Lardie writes movingly and with great humour on stand-up, loneliness, how we see ourselves and others, and lots more.

Go

Throughout

Maiden Voyage Dance: 'Outside My Window, Inside My House'

Working with ideas of isolation, loneliness, connectivity and relationship - through dance.

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Throughout

Michael Hanna: 'Necessary Generalisations for a Utopian'

Hanna presents this series in the form of digital placards: 'Necessary Generalisations for a Utopian'

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Throughout

Noelle McAlinden:

'Art of Conversation Mental Health Special'

A conversation on art and mental health with a panel of specially-invited guests:
'Art of Conversation'.

Go

Throughout

Paddy McKeown:
'Harmonics'

Three images and a sound piece in response, by Paddy McKeown.

Go

Throughout

Rodger Montgomery
& Eleanor Steane:
'Music-led yoga practice'

An hour long music-led yoga practice. Follow along at your own pace with this session made specially for NIMHAF 2021.

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Throughout

Ro Owens

& Ciaran Flynn:

'One'

Using illustration, music and voice ,“One” looks at the solidarity found when experiencing loneliness, offering moments of verbatim advice gathered from a range of people of varying ages.

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Throughout

Ruairi Fallon McGuigan: ‘Fentanyl Dreams and Pills for Breakfast’

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Ruairi Fallon McGuigan weaves together poetry and drawing in this unique creation.

Throughout

Ruth Crothers:
'The distance might as well be from here to Mars'

Go

New work from Ruth, based on an extract of a personal journal, written when experiencing recurring mental health issues during the winter lockdown.

Throughout

Sal Hanvey:

'Kids Cook-along'

Go

Follow Sal's cook-along for kids (and fans of cranberry and orange chocolate truffles!). This nutrition-led cookery class can be taken from the comfort of your own home.

Throughout

Strabane Men’s Project: 'Music To Your Ears'

Go

Brought together by a shared love of showband music and drama, the group perform a mix of songs, old and new, stories from retired musicians, poetry and vignettes.

Throughout

Thomas Wells:

'7 Card Brag'

Go

It took years to be initiated into the mysteries of '7 Card Brag'. Like all the best games, everyone has their own interpretation of the rules...

Throughout

Trisha McNally:
'Mini Mindful Garden' Workshop

Go

Let Trisha guide you through the creation of your very own 'Mini Mindful Garden' in this hands-on workshop.

Throughout

Wee Nulz:
'Loneliness' street art

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Wee Nulz was invited by the festival to create a piece on the theme of loneliness in association with Framewerk.

~ open calls ~

Throughout

Open Call:

'Loneliness Virtual Exhibition'

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Artists responded to our open call with visual art, video, text and audio - visit our virtual 'Loneliness' exhibition now.

Throughout

Open Call: 'Poetry Submission' Winners

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Read the winning entries from our open call for poems on the theme of 'Loneliness'.

Throughout

Open Call: 2021 NIMHAF
'Loneliness Playlist'

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We couldn't get the Walker Brothers out of our heads so we asked for your help. YouTube and Spotify 'Loneliness' playlists built from your suggestions.

Throughout

Open Call:

'Poetry Map'

Go

View all shortlisted poems on an interactive map.

Throughout

'Your Thoughts
For the Birds'

& NIMHAF 2021 Publication

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If you've picked up a #NIMHAF2021 origami bird, here's how to fold it. Also, details on this year's publication.

~ scheduled events ~

Monday 10 May

Sabi Nicholson:

'Substrata'

Sabi has created a special episode on the theme of 'Loneliness' for her show 'Substrata' on Dublin Digital Radio. Tune in to listen live on your radio, or preview now.

Go

Monday 10 May

Figure This:

'Live Life Drawing'

Sign up to join a special NIMHAF 'Figure This' virtual and live life-drawing session

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Tuesday 11 May

Ruth Bate:

'Live led painting'

Join modern artist Ruth Bate in his studio for a special Instagram Live edition of his YouTube show 'Painting With Ruth Bate'.

Go

Thursday 13 May

Spark Opera:

'Big Mood'

Spark Opera Company brings #operasingersofinstagram alive with songs and arias tailored to suit you and your mood.

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Friday 14 May

Connie McGrath:

'Kitchen Cupboard SFX Makeup Workshop'

Join expert special FX make-up artist Connie McGrath for this live Zoom session using kitchen cupboard ingredients.

Go

Friday 14 May

Jacqueline Wylie:

'Instagram Takeover'

'Life Goes On' and other work by Jacqueline will be shared and discussed by the artist during her Instagram takeover.

Go

Friday 14 May

Fears:

'Oíche - Album
Launch Party'

Join Fears and friends for a Friday night Zoom disco to celebrate the release of her debut album Oíche.

Go

Sunday 16 May

Minds:

'Festival Party'

The MINDS DJs are having a party! Shake along to the official Festival Party DJs in this live NIMHAF 2021 special.

Go

Sunday 16 May

Áine Stapleton:

'Horrible Creature'

James Joyce's daughter Lucia’s writing is interpreted by a cast of international dance artists, conjuring her world between 1915 and 1950.

Go

Anushiya Sundaralingam:

'Tanimai I'

Brain Injury Matters @ Arts for All:

'Unexpected Happenings'

Brain Injury Matters @ Belfast Exposed:

'Looking Through

Our Eyes'

Brain Injury Matters:

'Let Your Imagination Flow'

Cathal Cully:

'You Do Not Know What You Have Missed'

Cathy Scullion:

'The Sound of Silence'

Chad Alexander:

'Moon and Branches'

NIIHR Art Project Group: 'The Clearing'

Christopher Steenson:

'Field Walk 040121'

Clare McQuillan:

'Wild Super Champ Pie'

Damo Laughlin

& Autumns

Documenta & Colm Laverty

EG Dunne

'Invisible'

'Invisible' is a poem and meditation on loneliness and visibility and more.

​

​

​

Elspeth Vischer & Aidan Vischer:

'A Message to Darkness'

Emer Maguire

Special

Heather Dornan Wilson:

'When I'm Alone... At least, I'd Rather Be Alone With The Sky'

Helen Hall:

'A Moment Alone'

​

Jacqueline Wyle:

'The Ground Between Us'

& 'Life Goes On'

Joseph Nawaz:

'Loneliness'

Kieran Stewart:

'Loneliness'

Leo Lardie:

'Loneliness'

Maiden Voyage Dance: 'Outside My Window, Inside My House'

Michael Hanna: 'Necessary Generalisations for a Utopian'

Noelle McAlinden:

'Art of Conversation Mental Health Special'

Paddy McKeown: 'Harmonics'

Rodger Montgomery & Eleanor Steane: 'Music-led yoga practice'

Ro Owens

& Ciaran Flynn:

'One'

Ruairi Fallon McGuigan: ‘Fentanyl Dreams and Pills for Breakfast’

Ruth Crothers: 'The distance might as well be from here to Mars'

Sal Hanvey:

'Kids Cook-along'

Strabane Men’s Project: 'Music To Your Ears'

Thomas Wells:

'7 Card Brag'

Trisha McNally: 'Mini Mindful Garden' Workshop

Wee Nulz: 'Loneliness' street art

Open Call:

'Loneliness Virtual Exhibition'

Open Call: 'Poetry Submission' Winners

Open Call: 2021 NIMHAF 'Loneliness Playlist'

Open Call:

'Poetry Map'

'Your Thoughts For the Birds'

& NIMHAF 2021 Publication

Sabi Nicholson:

'Substrata'

​

Figure This:

'Live Life Drawing'

Ruth Bate:

'Live led painting'

Brain Injury Matters
@ Arts for All:

Brain Injury Matters
@ Belfast Exposed:

'Let Your
Imagination Flow'

Documenta
& Colm Laverty

'When I'm Alone... At least, I'd Rather Be Alone
With The Sky'

Paddy McKeown:
'Harmonics'

Rodger Montgomery
& Eleanor Steane:
'Music-led yoga practice'

Ruth Crothers:
'The distance might as well be from here to Mars'

Trisha McNally:
'Mini Mindful Garden' Workshop

Wee Nulz:
'Loneliness' street art

Open Call: 2021 NIMHAF
'Loneliness Playlist'

'Your Thoughts
For the Birds'

'Oíche - Album
Launch Party'