‘CHILD OF’ is an exciting new art project exploring addiction while celebrating human strength and resilience.

Having a father who struggled with alcoholism and in turn, adopting an unhealthy relationship with alcohol myself, ‘Child Of’ is born through personal experience and the need to open up the conversation surrounding addiction. I hope to give some insight and understanding of how we all can help.

Since I can remember, I've experienced a sense of escapism through art and 'making'. My happiest memories at school are painting a picture of ‘Merlin’ or making a dragonfly by stuffing a nylon stocking and creating wings from coat hangers, blowing eggs and painting them for easter. The obsession with art, textiles and ‘making’ has led me through school, art college and into the creative industry where I've been for the past twenty-five years, it's been a constant throughout my life. So there's no surprise this project leads with creative expression.

By the ‘80’s’ standards my life wasn’t the ‘norm’, we were a single-parent family, me, my brother and dad. He was a good man and did the best he could, he was sociable yet lonely and had a friend in alcohol. Many use creativity in a similar way, a safe place of comfort to retreat. Some, like me, are lucky enough to have guidance and develop their skills into a successful career…. others loose confidence along the way.

Through sharing experiences, I believe we can offer a deeper understanding of the impact addiction has on the entire family structure. I aim to open up the conversation, offer insight and inspiration, and take steps towards ‘Breaking The Cycle Of Addiction’ while playing a part in eliminating the stigma surrounding a global problem.

Have you ever wondered why some thrive and others don't despite coming from similar adverse childhood experiences?
What can we learn from those who've used their turbulent upbringing to drive them into successful careers and fulfilled lives?
How can we help those struggling with the aftermath of parental alcoholism/addiction, and what can we learn from their experience?
How can we support those in recovery, and what can we learn from their strength and resilience?

I truly believe in breaking the cycle of addiction is a two-pronged affair.

To break the cycle, we need to start with the child. Despite their parents' actions, it's so important the child understands it's not their fault; they are worthy and undoubtedly can steer their own ship. Given the right support and tools, there's no reason why they can't achieve everything they set out to do.
Addicts were once children; somewhere along the line, they felt the need to numb pain/trauma or have somehow lost themselves along the way. They also need our nonjudgmental compassion and support to rebuild their life.

Here I will explain the outline of the project and how I see it developing.

FACTS

Info taken from Nacoa.org & Liambryne.co.uk .

Nacoa is the National Association of Children of Alcoholics. It’s a 40- year- old volunteer-run charity with its head office in Bristol. After my father’s death, I contacted NACOA to offer help, and I have received nothing but support and inclusion since. They truly understand the plight of the child of an alcoholic and fight tirelessly on behalf of Britain’s forgotten children.

PROBLEMS

Alcoholism & addiction impacts the whole family, often leading to fragmentation and poverty that can last for generations.
Children of addiction live in secrecy, guilt, and shame.
The effects of alcohol on mental health aren’t widely talked about.
The conversation surrounding addiction needs to be heard: resources and support need to be more visible.
Lack of positive role models for those in families of addiction.

IMPACTS

Children of addiction are more likely to become addicts themselves in adult life.
Children of addicts suffer from adverse mental health, resulting in low self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth, often showing up in adulthood.
Due to the secrecy surrounding family addiction, feelings of isolation and loneliness are common among alcoholics children.
To not repeat the cycle, it takes hard work and dedication to rebuild and live a clean life for those in recovery. Building bridges to broken relationships, gaining confidence and entering the workforce are all areas that need support and guidance.

Source: Alcohol Change UK , Priory Group, US National Library of Medicine, Childrens Society, Sheffield Hallam University

WHAT IS ‘CHILD OF’ ?

The idea is simple. The potential is huge.

‘Child Of’ … a creative platform offering insight and inspiration.

I can't pinpoint the actual moment the idea came to me, possibly as far back as 1997 during my final collection at Central St Martins. The concept was to interview my friends via a questionnaire, their experiences, favourite films, etc, became the inspiration for their outfit. My would-be models walked the catwalk in what should have been a personalised garment. Unfortunately, my college days were spent 'down the pub', leaving the execution of the idea less than adequate and not doing it justice. But the seed of 'creating through shared experience' was sewn and ready to blossom twenty-five years later.

I interview adult children of alcoholics and those touched by addiction. People from all cultures and walks of life, addiction does not discriminate. Some will be incredibly successful, others not so fortunate, all have something in common, and loads we can learn.
Turning the spoken word into a visual narrative opens up the conversation to a whole new audience. Inspiration knows no bounds. The emphasis is on the storyteller rather than the addiction.
Fundraising is key to the project, The artwork is sold with a percentage of everything sold goes to Nacoa and affiliated charities.
Our E-commerce website also aims to create a community with resources surrounding addiction and creativity. We will support those looking for information and advice about addiction, directing them to established organisations and charities. We will shout about the artists and independent suppliers we work with. We will encourage creativity and promote learning.
Mentorship is hugely beneficial to children and adults alike. We will be working on community projects, partnering with alternative provision schools and recovery retreats to delivering workshops and creative projects. Our long-term plan is to offer a mentorship program working with teenagers wanting to break the creative industry and those in recovery looking to reconnect with creativity and connecting them with creatives and industry experts.

FOLLOW THE PROJECT

MY FIRST CONVERSATION

. We Are The Writers . We Are The Artists . We Are The Future .

Simon Stephens is an Award-Winning Playwright: his use of language is captivating. Not only have I witnessed this when watching his plays, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night, Fatherland and Sea Wall, but in person when interviewing him for my first ever 'Child Of' conversation. It was an honour to explore his childhood feelings, inspirations, and family background. I first got in touch with Simon after watching 'Fatherland' at the Lyric in Hammersmith. A Verbatim play exploring the complexities and modern fatherhood co written with Frantic Assembly's Scott Graham and Underworld musician Karl Hyde.

Everything I love about humans and creativity were on that stage. When the performance was over and the audience emotionally charged, leaving the auditorium, we were shaken again by the voices of a male choir rumbling through the foyer, hidden amongst the crowd, coming together … its giving me goosebumps now. So when he agreed to meet up with me to discuss his Dad's alcoholism and the effects it had on his family, I was blown away.

“My dad was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis at the age of 56, and on his diagnosis he tried to stop drinking and succeeded for a year of stopping drinking, and I think part of that stopping must have involved some sort of declaration of alcoholism. ”

— Simon Stephens

I feel incredibly privileged to be trusted with his story, turning it into a visual narrative.

Simon’s artwork has nothing to do with addiction but a life-changing moment that gave him the confidence to progress in his career. It has a strong and positive message, one from which everyone can benefit. His descriptive memories have my sketchbooks full, and future artwork works a certainty…. one conversation holds so much inspiration.

A percentage of profit from Simon’s artwork and products will go to Nacoa and a charity supporting writers and those working in the theatre with mental health issues.

SIMON’S DREAM - Simon talked about a dream that saved his career

BRAVE CRUSADER - A piece inspired by our conversation

Meet Sasha - An example why mentorship works

Sasha was introduced to me by a lady I’d been mentoring at my Hertfordshire studio. They had met at a 12 step fellowship.

That was nearly two years ago now.

When we met, Sasha had been clean and sober for two and a half years. Prior to addiction and living homeless on London's streets, she was an award-winning accessories designer with a styling and design background. By her admission, these years were 'sketchy' as she entered into the darkness that alcoholism brings.

I invited her to the studio to get to know the environment and offer mentorship. We instantly connected. It also happened to coincide with the inception of 'Child Of'.

There's part of me that believes people come into your life for a reason, Sasha is now an integral part of the project bringing with her expanding knowledge and experience. Over the four and half years of being clean, she has been a member of the twelve-step program supporting many women and is a Recovery Support Worker for a Luton based charity.

Sasha's story is unique and colourful with vast tones of darkness and light, she will be key in the mentorship program and running creative workshops to schools and organisations who work with adults in recovery.

SO WHAT NOW ?

I'm fortunate in having some amazing people working alongside me with a collective vision of where this project is going.

We're planning a unique crowdfund to raise awareness and finances, donating a percentage to Nacoa . We will also use the money to build our website and business development; I will be giving a detailed breakdown once the campaign has launched.

I hope you see the magic in this project and wish to follow the journey. If something has touched you, please drop me a message, if you feel someone might benefit from or want to support the project, please share.

Addiction and Alcoholism touches so many of us … together we can help break the cycle.