Stalybridge-based Rayven has exhibited her debut project, titled “Severance”, at the People’s Gallery, Stalybridge.

The 19-year-old artist, whose real name is Ellie Booth, is the latest to be granted an exhibition space at the gallery and was given the chance to
personally showcase and sell some of her collection. Her works first went on show last month in a display that runs until September 14. The gallery itself is a non-profit, volunteer run organisation that aims to give artists a space to showcase their works and get a foot in the door of the highly competitive art world.

Gordon Clegg, manager of The People’s Gallery, explained in more detail about the competitive field for artists: “That is the problem for new artists, you can’t get your work in a mainstream gallery until you are known, but you can’t get known until you hang the paintings you see. So, we don’t judge the artwork, as long as it is not offensive, you can hang it.”

Rayven’s exhibition is entitled “Severance” and is a dive into her own experience of mental health struggles, explored through many creative
directions. “The name of the exhibition came about from the idea of something being cut up into many pieces, i.e. severed.

From paintings to sculptures, Rayven, from Stalybridge, has created a multitude of pieces across different disciplines.

“The exhibit is all about mental health, more specifically my experiences,” she says, “I have taken inspiration for this exhibit from Dr Jekyll
& Mr. Hyde, a story all about a man with a spilt personality, which is something I relate to.”

The case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is one that not only artist Rayven will relate to. A study in 2017 by the NHS Foundation shows that between
five and 12 per cent of the UK population would meet the criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis.

Rayven recognises the weight of the message that her work carries and aims to spread a positive impact with the collection, through collaborating
with mental health charities. “I want people to feel seen and feel validated because when I was going through a lot of mental health struggles, I did
not feel seen and validated.

“I have reached out to Mind who should be bringing people who use their service to the exhibition, which might help them. I want to help people see
that they are not alone, and that people have experienced very similar things. I want people to know that there is always someone there for
someone.”

If you want to view or purchase anything from Rayven's exhibition or yourself, head down to The Bridge Art Centre, Stalybridge.