Participants will need to purchase charcoal, preferably in medium/mixed sizes: https://www.jacksonsart.com/coates-natural-willow-charcoal

In this workshop, artist Liz Atkin will describe her experience of compulsive skin picking and how she manages and refocuses her condition through her visual practice. Participants will use drawing and photography as a way of exploring tactility and touch, focusing on different textures and how they might relate to the body and body-focused repetitive behaviours. The session will be followed by a Q&A with Liz.

Bio:

Liz Atkin is an artist and educator. She has Compulsive Skin Picking, a complex physical and mental disorder, but reimagines the body-focused repetitive behaviour and her experiences of anxiety into drawings, photographs, and performances. Liz is a mental health advocate and raises awareness for the disorder around the world. She has exhibited and taught in the UK, Europe, Australia, USA, Singapore and Japan. Her artwork and an archive of her advocacy for skin picking is held by the Wellcome Collection, London.