Take One a Day
Take One a Day is a photography exhibition highlighting the power of creativity and how looking for the beauty around us can help us deal with the many difficulties of modern life.
Take One a Day is on display in the Usher Gallery from 13 July until 15 September 2024.
The landscape imagery featured in the exhibition came out of a traumatic experience for Lincolnshire man Paul Gutherson. Paul discovered the body of someone who had died by suicide on his favourite dog walk in Keddington, just outside Louth. Following PTSD and counselling, he decided to use his love of photography to reclaim his joy in the natural environment and to rediscover the beauty in life. He started taking one a day – a photograph, not a tablet – and began sharing them on social media. In the exhibition are some of the images, all taken close to where the event happened. A short film will also accompany the images and help bring the project to life.
Award-winning photographic artist Richard Ansett supports Paul's landscapes with rural community portraiture to broaden and deepen the project. The people featured either work in and give their time to mental health support or are personally affected by some of the issues raised. They all kindly gave their time to have their pictures taken next to the path where Paul walked.
Also featured is the series MAN UP; portraits that came out of Richard's visit to a local support group run by Bro-Pro UK. A limited-edition zine goes alongside to tell the subjects' stories.
Suicide rates have risen in rural areas since 2016. Lincolnshire has a large farming community, responsible for £2 billion of the UK’s agricultural, but mental health support is spread thinly.
This collaborative and wide-ranging project highlights the connection between people and their communities. The aim is that the positivity surrounding this exhibition - borne out of a tragic event - inspires mindfulness and creativity, or helps people to reach out.
Thank you to all the contributors who shared their stories.
For more information and/or support you can go to:
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/
Bro Pro: https://www.facebook.com/brotherhoodprojectuk
Take One a Day is curated by Jason Baron. Born and raised in Louth, Lincolnshire, Jason was recently Photography and Visuals Lead at Comic Relief and former Creative Head of Photography at the BBC.
The exhibition is free to enter. The Usher Gallery is open from Thursday to Monday from 10am to 4pm.
Richard Ansett Artist Residency 29 July to 4 August
Photographic artist Richard Ansett will be in residence across the Usher Gallery and Lincoln Museum from Monday 29 July until Sunday 4 August. This residency is linked to the Take One a Day photography exhibition currently on display in the Usher Galley until 15 September.
Alongside his practice as an artist Richard has been a volunteer with the Samaritans for 20 years. During his residency Richard invites you to come and start a conversation about his work, photography, mental health or whatever you might need to talk through.
Throughout the residency Richard will be live broadcasting a number of events and interviews with key stake holders in Lincolnshire mental health as well as speaking with some of his subjects experiencing challenging moments in their lives now, exploring ways they have reached out for help and how art has been a vital support in their lives.
Events taking place as part of the residency:
- A mindfulness workshop Tuesday times TBC.
- In conversation with trans and queer artist Kala Heatherson who has documented her journey with photography. Richard and Kala will talk about how their queerness has influenced their practice. Wednesday 31st August at 10.30am from the gallery live broadcast.
- Lincoln Samaritans Outreach Event Thursday 1 August from 11am - 2pm
- Lincoln Samaritians will be attending the gallery offering care and support for anyone who is affected by the exhibitions themes or would just like to talk confidentially about their lives. They will be explaining what Samaritans do and how you can get involved.
- Richard signing of 'Muse - A Portrait of Grayson Perry’, available to purchase from the shop.
Mindfulness Session with Unique Yoga Lincs, Tuesday 13 August from 9.30am
Join us in The Usher Gallery for a unique mindfulness session with Amanda Unique Yoga. The session will take place in the visiting 'Take One a Day' exhibition space surrounded by beautiful imagery created as part of a healing process.
No prior experience of yoga is necessary to take part in this session. We will focus on connecting to our unique sense of wellbeing, by bringing our attention into the present moment and exploring re connecting with qualities such as peace, gratitude and joy. Expect some very gentle movement, use of sound, visualisation, quiet contemplation and relaxation.
Free please book your space in advance.