colour-by-numbers Key

1. Good sleep/rest
2. Health
3. Food/water
4. Shelter
5. Clothing
​6. Financial security
7. Friendships/relationships
8/9. Emotional stability
10. Security and safety in your environment
11. Love and belonging in relation to others
12. Self-esteem (how you feel others view you)
13. Family
14. Caring for others
15. Travelling to new places
16. Self-confidence
17/18. Skills and education
19. Moments of joy

responses from the public

​Members of the public were asked to colour in the outline drawings and send them back electronically, seeking to find out what wellbeing means to us in the current climate. The works shown here are a small selection of the responses we received.

This exhibition investigates Maslow's theory in light of the struggles we face today and invites us to consider which areas of our lives we have ob with obtained and which areas we may want to work on. It has been suggested that Maslow’s theory doesn’t take into account factors outside of our control such as the impact of racism, sexism, and political and social issues. By inviting the public to participate in the exhibition, we hope to create a sense of solidarity that takes these factors into account.

​The works on display show a snippet of the challenges we all seem to be facing – the lack of travel and/or sleep and rest, plus a general sense of insecurity. However there are also positive similarities – such as a genuine care for other people and shelter.

"I’m really proud of this form of exchange between the asylum seeker group and the public who took up the invitation to colour in the group’s drawings. The feedback from participants said they felt so happy to have their drawings shown and that they felt happy drawing them. Someone commented that when all the public’s responses are exhibited together it will illustrate how we all have similar needs, whether they are met or not. I hope this makes people think about their prejudices and instead creates a sense of solidarity". Leila Houston 

The drawings used for the participatory activity sheet are the work of Neami Yohannes and Osman Yaqoub, members of the ArtHub group. 
Click thumbnails to enlarge

Exchange bar exhibition

​Zory Rubel distributed the participatory activity sheets across the city and has curated the display for those wanting to see some of the works in person.

Where: The Exchange Bar
50 Rutland Street
Leicester
LE3 1RD

When: 10th to 18th October 2020

about Arthub

The fantastic drawings of this activity sheet is by a group of young creatives from diverse backgrounds who are based at Charnwood Arts. The group participated in a series of online workshops as part of the Encrypted Sounds of Wellbeing project, facilitated by Charnwood Arts and led and delivered by artist Leila Houston.

This project was formed to provide opportunities for young unaccompanied asylum seekers and young refugees. Working with After 18 charity since 2013, Charnwood Arts has delivered a programme of: workshops, exhibitions, visits, residencies and publications. Regular groups provide a safe space for participants to: make friends, learn new art skills and be creative. Participants work has been shown in: local galleries, museums and in national festivals such as: Journeys Festival and Becoming Adult project through Oxford University. During recent lockdown sessions these young artists contributed to a Charnwood Arts online exhibition.
Artist anonymous, Family and/or in a relationship, 2020

leila houston's reflections

Maslow's theory explained
"Sometimes it wasn’t possible to get everyone together at the same time: not everybody in the group has access to devices or an internet connection, this group faces many challenges in life. From my own experience and through my research talking to health and social care professionals, it’s obvious that focussing on creative projects is difficult enough in everyday life when making sure your basic needs are met is a job in itself, which is sadly a common occurrence for many people I’ve spoken to during this project. It was sad to see how clearly Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs related to this.

​As lockdown began to be eased the group’s idea to create a participatory activity came to life and all these incredible drawings directly relating the group’s needs to Maslow‘s theory began appearing. ''
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a theory in psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation". It is often represented as a pyramid and suggests that these needs have to be met one at a time going from bottom to top. We need to achieve the lower level before we can progress to the level above.  
​
His ideas have been used in psychology, business and sociology. Later in life, Maslow suggested we can move up and down the levels and that we do not have to have all the elements on a previous level before moving up to the next. The theory provides an understanding of what we may consider necessary for positive wellbeing and to maintain balance in our lives.