An exhibition offering an intimate glimpse into an individuals path of recovery.

From drawing, to spoken word, diverse mediums become a vessel for telling unique stories.

This exhibition is proudly presented by Druglink, in association with Child Of, and support from the UKSPF fund.

11am-3pm weekdays
5 March - 2 April 2025

THE ARTISTS

Ashh is a multidisciplinary artist who explores the intersection of trauma, healing, and identity. A recovering addict and survivor of a childhood marked by domestic violence, abuse, and secrecy, Ashh uses her art to give voice to unspoken pain and to illuminate the resilience of the human spirit. For this installation, 'a safe space', Ashh recreated her childhood bedroom, a visceral space that juxtaposes innocence with the harsh realities of abuse.

The room, framed with prison bars, shattered glass, and bloodstained bedding, serves as a haunting metaphor for the entrapment of trauma. Quotes and textured wallpaper referencing the complexities of healing invite viewers to confront their narratives while fostering empathy for those with interrupted childhoods.

Ashh's work reflects her commitment to turning personal pain into a universal dialogue about survival, recovery, and the enduring possibility of transformation.

David says that the biggest step for him, on his journey, has been to seek help. It has been two years since David came to stay for 3 months at the Druglink Oxygen Rehab, known to him as the ‘Big House’. David says before going into rehab, he had never given any thought to those around him who had problems with addiction, homelessness, or the inability to connect because of mental wellbeing. As he grappled with these issues, now presented before him, and battled with his early sobriety, he says that he was a difficult person to be with, but he knew he was exactly where he had to be and felt it was his one and only shot at freeing himself from the chains of his addiction.

During his time in the Big House, David started to use art as an expression of his inner thoughts. These took a manner of imaginative shapes as he began to work with drawings, sculptures, paints and multimedia. He is now a prolific artist, remaining experimental and exploring new avenues at every opportunity. Now entering into his second year of an endless recovery from his own addiction, David invites you into his world of art, an expression and visual map of a few simple questions about life and a few complex ones about addiction.

David has written a short illustrative book about his stay in the Big House and this is available to purchase at the exhibition.

Please email oxygenconnect@druglink.ltd.uk if you would like to pre-order a copy. All copies cost £5 and all profits go to Druglink, the Hertfordshire based substance misuse charity.

As a child, Hussein collected hundreds of Pokemon cards in what he describes as an obsessive and addictive manner. He watched the animations and played the Pokemon games on his Gameboy Colour. Hussein remembers this as a happy time, as this was a shared interest with his older brother, and something they bonded over. Hussein would sketch the Pokemon with pencil, in black and white when he was a child, but never added colour.

During his stay in the Druglink Oxygen Rehab, Hussein discovered drawing again. Starting with lino cuts and pencil drawings, displayed here with his main piece to share his journey, Hussein began to explore. Gradually focussing more on detail and building up his ideas to amount to a final piece, Hussein says that this piece represents a new-found dedication to finishing a project, something that previously alluded him during his addiction.

Hussein says that as he developed his sobriety journey, he was inspired to add colour to the pieces. His first time with painting, Hussein began to colour his freestyle Pokemon, bringing them to life on canvas, and re-embracing the happy colours of his younger years.

This particular piece stems from the days when Sarah and her beloved dog, Skye, walked for miles along the canal. She would sing under bridges where there was no-one around, releasing her emotions.

Under the Bridge represents loss and a journey that goes up and down. The difficulties and the bumps on the road. The progression of the illness and the sadness it creates. It represents a new hope and a new beginning, whilst reflecting on the past. Although made through loss, Sarah has found enjoyment doing this project and has identified hope and sunlight shining through the branches. She can hear the birdsong and this makes her free. She has learned to stop comparing herself to people and enjoying the sound of her voice and feeling her own voice. It is a portable power as she can sing wherever she is, replicating this moment in time.

Sharon uses interactive media, mixing vocal work with photographic pieces and symbols, that then come together to express a story of directionless dark challenges. Sharon strives to create the sense of being confined and controlled by substances but also, using the substances to survive in this dark place.

In sobriety, Sharon has embraced self-discovery and moved into a light space filled with hope and positivity; but Sharon’s work is also about fighting the shadows that come to challenge this light space.

Originally an inner London city girl, Sharon now lives a very different life, inspired by open spaces in nature, spending quiet time in meditation and living with self.