Broken Grey Wires’ exhibition considers the modern mental health crisis through a new lens
From Thursday 16th February The Auxiliary in Middlesbrough will showcase the challenging exhibition Two Plus Two Makes Four, curated by Broken Grey Wires (aka Lizz Brady) and featuring 17 different artists. This exhibition creates a space for visitors to catch their breath and consider the modern mental health crisis through a new lens, with a collection of work that is as joyful as it is sombre. Both raw and political, this work is rooted in the lived experience of mental illness.
Two Plus Two Makes Four features work from leading artists including Bill Viola, Pipilotti Rist, Gillian Wearing, Martin Creed and the late American DIY artist Daniel Johnston, across a range of mediums including paper, neon, photography, interactive installation and video.
This exhibition encourages conversation with a Mad Manual Toolkit used in the gallery, and The Comfort Zone, an area where visitors are invited to relax and reflect on the show and its themes.
Broken Grey Wires explained: “This project has been developing for over three years, with COVID, personal health, grief and finances disrupting plans. The work will examine distance and communication, especially thinking of themes of isolation. My own thought processes have been tested and personally challenged throughout, with a much more rounded, important and generous project being the outcome.”
The exhibition promises to offer the viewer a valuable, deep and creative exploration into the world of mental health.