George III: The Mind Behind the Myth

2019 - 2020

Across the summer of 2019 I ran series of workshops at Kew Palace, working with men with lived experience of mental health difficulties. These creative writing sessions explored the life of King George III, in the lead up to Kew Palace’s exhibition focusing on his life, opening in 2021.

During these workshops the participants were supported by the curatorial and community engagement team to find out more about the life of King George III - from his love of music to his mental health crises. The participants individually selected objects belonging to King George III, some of which were shown alongside not only the curatorial text labels, but labels written by these men that offer a contemporary insight into what it means to be a man living with mental health difficulties today.

Over the course of the project the group openly shared their own personal experiences, often touching on themes of memory, comfort and their own wellbeing.

I designed a book of their writing and my own photography (images taken during the project), culminating in a final bookbinding session for the men to leave with their own copy of the books.

Want to know more?

You can read an article I wrote for Historic Royal Palaces reflecting on the project. Or Listen to this short audio visual presentation of me speaking about the project. Commissioned by National Gallery for their event Museum Collections on Prescription: Health, Wellbeing and Inclusivity.