Ben Wood, a veteran suffering from PTSD after serving in the Army during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, found painting to be a calming influence for his restless mind. His work, along with other veterans, is displayed at Tuner House in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan.
The exhibition is organized by charities Woody's Lodge and VC Gallery and includes Samantha Dinsdale Brown, a former Royal Air Force member, who also turned to painting as a coping mechanism for mental health challenges and self-harm. Like Ben, she finds painting a safe space to manage trauma.
Army veteran Rob Watts began understanding his own mental health issues after interacting with other veterans. He, too, finds relief in creating art. Similarly, Steve Davies, a former police officer and not a veteran, uses art to process traumatic experiences from his career.
Barry John, a veteran, war artist, and founder of VC Gallery, uses art to help veterans open up about their experiences and problems. He believes the exhibition, which showcases emotions through color, is a powerful medium for veterans to reconnect with their trauma and engage with the community.
The exhibition demonstrates the therapeutic power of art for individuals coping with trauma, encouraging others to explore creative outlets for healing and connection.