The Well Made Project

A Series of Unexpected Events is an online exhibition as part of the London Arts in Health Forum’s Creativity and Wellbeing Week 4 - 12 June 2015, brought to you by The Well Made Project.

A Series of Unexpected Events features the work of a select group of artists whose practice relates to the themes of health and human nature. Throughout the course of the week a story will unfold, told each day by a different artist using a different medium.

The exhibition aims to explore the idea that life is made up of a series of unexpected events that impact upon our wellbeing, each different and often irregular but of equal importance to us. Although each work has its own narrative, we have constructed our own posing each day as a separate event in one persons life.

Helen’s twenty-one today. She’s opted for a quiet do. In fact, she’s decided to stay in bed! Let’s join her on this happy day. 

Her friends and family have come to her bedside, bearing gifts. Jana’s given her a red Yves Saint Laurent lipstick. Rita and Nab have given her a compact stereo. Ivan’s given her a dressing gown from Miss Selfridge – a print of white cotton covered in red kisses – and a bottle of Rive Gauche. Sean’s given her Flaubert’s Parrot, Julian Barnes’ new book. Granny and Grandad have given her £25. Brian’s given her a table with squint legs that he made at woodwork. Peter’s sent her a huge basket of Body Shop goodies. She has lots of cards with a dual message: Congratulations on the key of the door! Get well soon! 

She thanks everyone politely. Her arms and legs are injected with poison. She doesn’t have the strength to peel an orange. 

Rita has made beef stroganoff and fresh cream meringues. Helen has her birthday meal on a tray in bed. She has a sip of champagne. 

Jana sits with her and makes her put on her new lipstick. Helen feels like a clown, a grotesque invalid wearing bright red lipstick and titanium earrings. 

Extract from ‘The State of Me’ 

Day 1: Anita (extract)

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