Art of Psychiatry Society

“Self portrait”: name and date currently unknown (behind frame); poster paint on paper. Courtesy of Adamson Collection Trust

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind the sculptures you can encounter by Nelson ward at Lambeth Hospital?

They are part of over 5000 works of art collected by the British artist Edward Adamson (1911-1996) during his years at Netherne Hospital, where he pioneered the use of art as therapy. The Adamson Collection was on display and in storage at Lambeth Hospital from 1997 until 2012, when most of the 4500 drawings and paintings were relocated to the Wellcome Library. The art work was initially produced in a research studio as a form of diagnosis and treatment at Netherne in the early 40s, with its content scrutinised by treating psychiatrists: particularly Eric Cunningham Dax and Francis Guttman. Adamson then developed his thinking further and regarded that the artistic self-expression itself was healing. His studio became a safe and creative space for those with restricted freedom of movement.

The Art of Psychiatry Society is pleased to announce that Dr David O’Flynn, consultant psychiatrist at SLaM and chair of Adamson Collection Trust, will be joining us on 22nd October presenting a talk titled “The Adamson Collection: the Art of Healing”. The meeting will take place in the Adamson Room at the Maudsley Learning Centre.

All are welcome.
For more information, please visit

Wikipedia

Wellcome Collection

”Woman and Child’: Gwyneth Rowlands; date unknown; Indian ink, watercolour and varnish on flint. Courtesy of Adamson Collection Trust.

Portrait of Edward Adamson, with kind permission of John Timlin