Art exhibition celebrates recovery through colour, texture and creativity

An art exhibition is showcasing work by artists recovering from addiction.

Clear Canvas, held at the Phoenix Art Gallery, Brighton, has been displaying the creative journeys of 19 artists.

The exhibition, organised by Kennedy Street Recovery, a support group started by former Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy and his wife Clare, explores themes of resilience, vulnerability and hope through colour, texture and form.

The weekly art group ‘Art-ernoon’ at Kennedy Street Recovery Hub is the origin of Clear Canvas, curated by volunteer Daniel Good and supported by the Enjoolata Foundation.

Each piece serves as a testament to strength, creativity and the transformative power of recovery.

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Clear Canvas grew from Kennedy Street Recovery Hub’s weekly art group, Art-ernoon. (Image: Kennedy Street)

Featured artists include Leigh-Anne Barber, Dan Belton, Suchitra Chatterjee, Lucy Cher, Leon Clownes, Cheryl Clark, Emily Field, Peter James Field, Daniel Good, Kyle Hall, Callum Harris, Ollie Hay, Iris Judea, Moss, Jagoda Rogalska, Sasha Silberman-Hanks, David Taylor, Amanda Thompson and Lucy Weller.

Among them, Peter James Field, a Brighton-based artist and illustrator, is renowned for his portraits, which have been shortlisted three times for the Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery.

He also featured in Sky Portrait Artist of the Year 2020, and in 2022 his painting of singer Alex Nilere went on loan to Manchester City Art Gallery.

The exhibition runs until Sunday, 12pm to 5pm.