An emotionally charged and thought-provoking art exhibition, “Feelings are Real,” has opened at the Barbican Library in Central London. The exhibition, which runs until February 27th, features a collection of drawings, paintings, paper cuttings, etchings, and objects created by self-taught artists stevexoh and jdwoof, also known as the Art Babies.
The Art Babies, Steve and Jo, have been using art as a therapeutic outlet for the past three years, creating pieces that reflect their personal experiences with sadness, anxiety, confusion, wonder, love, fear, and more. This exhibition is the first time their work is being presented as a collection, with the hope that visitors will find it relatable and supportive.
The response from visitors during the first few days of the exhibition has been overwhelming, with many describing it as moving, inspiring, and relatable. One visitor stated, “I’ve never felt so identified with and understood by artwork before.” Another described it as “emotional, intriguing, familiar and new, provoking and engaging, menacing and mischievous.”
The Art Babies’ work highlights the importance of mark making as a therapeutic practice, and the exhibition aims to create a compassionate and relatable space for visitors to connect with the artists’ experiences. The artists themselves have described the exhibition as “a compassionate conversation between the artists,” and “a strange gentleness to it all.”
To learn more about the exhibition and the Art Babies, visit their website at www.artbabies.co.uk. You can also watch an interview with Steve and Jo where they discuss the exhibition and the significance of therapeutic mark making. “Feelings are Real” is a powerful and moving exhibition that offers a unique and relatable perspective on the human experience.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.