A central city pop-up exhibition, The Bigger Picture, showcases the work of artists from Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, an arts and mental health charity in Christchurch supporting people who have  experienced mental distress and trauma.  

Created in partnership with Life In Vacant Spaces, the exhibition and Ōtautahi Creative Spaces will head to town with hundreds of tiny artworks that you can fit into the palm of your hand. Instigator Tom Reveley says they're "tiny works that speak to something big".

“We’ve witnessed the incredible power of creativity, and the benefits people get from being part of a close-knit community of like-minded people.

"What we offer sits alongside more conventional mental health support like medication and talking therapy - these help people to get through, but are not enough for people to thrive.

"People tell us that being part of our creative community has not only changed their lives, it has saved lives.” 

Despite a track record of success and the needs being greater than ever, Ōtautahi Creative Spaces receives no government funding for its ongoing essential costs.

Operations Manager Henni Read says: “So with this exhibition we’re inviting you to see the bigger picture. We need a sea change where art and creativity are valued as an essential part of our mental health system and resourced accordingly.  Successive governments have invested more and more into our mental health system, and yet the levels of mental distress continue to rise. There’s a place for alternatives which are proven to work.”

The Bigger Picture was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakes, which has special significance for the charity. Read says “It's fitting that we'll be in the city on the anniversary of the earthquakes, which were the impetus for our creative community getting started.  Otautahi Creative Spaces was set up in response to the widespread mental distress following the earthquakes. Since that time we’ve responded to other traumatic events, including the March 15 Mosque terrorist attack,” says Read.

“By sharing the bigger picture we want to change hearts and minds.  Creativity has an important role to play in mental health and should be resourced as such.”

“Each tiny art work has been crafted by our artists, with love. We know that buying an original artwork is out of reach for many people.  With The Bigger Picture you can secure a beautiful original artwork for a small donation and at the same time support the life-changing work of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces.”

About Ōtautahi Creative Spaces 

2025 is the 10th anniversary of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, a Christchurch creative community of people who have experienced mental distress and trauma, using the power of creativity to transform lives. With vibrant studios at the Phillipstown Hub, it provides mentoring to artists, brokers opportunities in the arts community and regularly visits art galleries and museums, and promotes artists work and stories in its website, online shop and 3D gallery. A 2017 evaluation by Ihi Research and Development found Ōtautahi Creative Spaces programmes had profound impact on participant wellbeing and general health.  Website: https://otautahicreativespaces.org.nz/

Where: LIVS Incubator, Cashel Mall

When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday February 21, 22, 23 11am - 4pm. 

For more information:

Henni Read, Operations Manager
henni@otautahicreativespaces.org.nz
022 533 5280