Unique take on Paisley Pattern New design was produced by people in recovery
A new version of the iconic Paisley pattern has been designed by people in recovery from mental health and addictions.
The Paisley Recovery Pattern is the culmination of an 11-month long project run by Renfrewshire’s NetWork team, part of the area’s alcohol and drug partnership.
Artist Nadine Kelly worked with around 200 people via different support groups on projects creating works such as photographs and stained glass.
The groups taking part were the Sunshine Recovery Café, The Men’s Shed, Tools for Living, Life Line Recovery Group, The Women’s Group, The Family Support Group and the Photography Group.
Much of the work will be on display at an exhibition in Paisley Museum from this Thursday, August 24.
And the centrepiece of the exhibition is the new Paisley Pattern design.
Nadine said: “Each section of the Paisley Recovery Pattern represents a group or individual in recovery in Renfrewshire.
“This was important to the design as everyone’s recovery is different, and being treated as an individual during recovery is essential.
“This also represents the idea that those in recovery are stronger together and being part of groups and the community is extremely beneficial for those in recovery.
The ‘ broken’ Paisley Pattern shape also came from those in recovery discussing the pieces of their ‘broken’ past, but now they are building their lives again and looking forward to the future.”
As part of the project, the logo for the popular Sunshine Recovery Cafe was revamped and has been put on to mugs, aprons, tote bags and T-shirts which are all for sale at the cafe in St Matthew’s Church, Gordon Street, Paisley every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm.
The Paisley Recovery Pattern uses the colours from the original Sunshine Recovery cafe logo.
The aim of the project was to encourage people’s involvement in a positive activity as well as creative arts, Many participants were keen to challenge the stigma and stereotypes they’ve often been labelled with.
It is also hoped the exhibition will start a conversation in a public setting on mental health and addiction.
The Paisley Recovery Pattern exhibition is being launched tomorrow from 2pm till 4pm.
All are welcome to go along to the exhibition, which runs until Sunday, September 24.
Being treated as an individual is essential Nadine Kelly