A community exhibition created by those with learning difficulties, mental health issues and suffering from isolation has opened at Dorset Museum.

My Creative Life: Talking Heads showcases clay sculptures inspired by Elisabeth Frink, an exhibition in partnership with Dorset Council and The Arts Development Company.

Elisabeth Frink created the Dorset Martyrs Memorial in Dorchester, which was unveiled on South Walks in 1986.

Emma Talbot, head of learning at Dorset Museum, said: "Dorset Museum was delighted to be part of the wider My Creative Life project with The Arts Development Company and Dorset Council.

"The My Creative Life: Talking Heads project and the exhibition at Dorset Museum highlights the need and value of community co-curated projects. It also demonstrates how we as a museum need to continue to ensure we offer opportunities for as many people as possible and enable involvement in arts, culture and heritage."

The heads on display are the culmination of six workshops at the museum, which started in March 2020 and were aimed at adults with learning difficulties, men with mental health issue and older people suffering from isolation and loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Janna Edwards, founder of 15 Days in Clay, facilitated the workshops and Frink expert, Annette Ratuszniak, introduced participants to sculptures by Elisabeth Frink to inspire them.

Janna Edwards, project facilitator of 15 Days in Clay, said: "I have been so impressed with the talents of the individuals that attended, they have worked extremely hard to produce really thought-provoking work, challenged themselves with exceptional results."

The sculptures tell many personal stories, with participants using personal experiences to create artwork showing how they have felt and still feel during the coronavirus pandemic. They include words carved into clay, flowers, stars and textured surfaces to reveal expressions, reflect thoughts, suggest visual connections and echo the personality of each artist.

Jo March, of the Arts Development Company, said: "It's been a pleasure working with artist, Janna Edwards and Dorset Museum to organise this activity in its new education room where the participants have felt safe and supported and have also had unlimited access to the Frink collection for inspiration.

"It's been a fantastic confidence-building opportunity for all involved, especially with the culmination of an exhibition of their work and demonstrates how it's possible to deliver high quality adult day care opportunities within the local community, not only providing choice, but also overcoming isolation and loneliness caused by the Covid-19 pandemic."

The sculptures are on display in the Alice Ellen Cooper Dean community space and the exhibition is free to enter.

The My Creative Life project is part of a pilot, funded by Dorset Council and Arts Council England, managed by The Arts Development Company using the Help and Kindness digital platform to advertise creative activities in the community.

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