Parkinson’s UK is running a free art exhibition and workshops for all ages in London from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October, to celebrate the complexity of the human brain and raise awareness of Parkinson’s and the charity’s work.
The Me, My Brain and I exhibition will be held at Koppel X space in Piccadilly Circus and feature brain sculptures from world-class artists including Alex Echo, Gavin Turk and Tracey Emin. Many of the sculptures were previously exhibited at The Other Art Fair in November 2021, but this is the first time they have been available to view for free and this exhibition will feature brand new works by Geoff Uglo, LUAP, Nick Veasey and Schoony.
Workshops led by Alex Echo and LUAP will also be running at 11am each day to give people of all ages the chance to explore what their brain means to them and design their own brains. There is no need to book, and they are free to attend. Plus, all the brains that are photographed will be in with the chance of being featured as part of Parkinson’s UK’s takeover of the Piccadilly Lights in November.
People can also get involved from the comfort of their own homes by visiting the Parkinson’s UK website for a downloadable brain.
Exhibition location and timings:
Koppel X, 48 Regent’s Street, Piccadilly Circus, London
Friday 28 October, 11am – 8pm
Saturday 29 October, 8am – 8pm
Sunday 30 October, 10am – 4pm
Workshops will run at 11am each day.
Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising & Engagement, Parkinson’s UK says:
“Me, My Brain and I invites us all to consider our own brain, to visualise it as the source of all the things that make us ‘us’. Our brains curate our lives, on the one hand, acting as unique libraries, holding memories, experiences and skills, while on the other powering supercomputer-powered curiosity, creativity and innovation.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with The Auction Collective and Christie’s with what we believe is a beautiful, thought-provoking, and moving creative experience. We’re indebted to the incredibly generous artists who are making this possible with a single shared aim: to raise funds for Parkinson’s research and to find a cure. ”
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and around 145,000 people in the UK have the condition. With over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to depression and anxiety, it’s more than just “the shakes”. Some of the artists involved in the exhibition, like internationally-renowned artist Alex Echo, have been affected by Parkinson’s and have visualised what the condition means to them.
Alex Echo says:
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in early 2020 and I hope my brain sculpture, Tremor, will create a visual representation of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s. It’s been difficult, but when I’m doing art, time disappears. Parkinson’s disappears. Worries disappear. Art saves my life every day and has for 42 years.”
After the public exhibition and workshops, the pieces from the exhibition will then go under the hammer to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK. The online viewing room, facilitated by auction partner The Auction Collective, showcasing all the auction lots is now live and people can sign up to join the livestream or register to attend the live auction at Christie’s, King Street in London in person.
All money raised from the auction and donations to this project will go towards Parkinson’s UK’s vital work into new treatments and a cure.
To find out more about the exhibition, workshops and auction, visit: https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/event/me-my-brain-and-i/home
