SHOWTIME
1997-2008
Bobby Baker began her diary drawings in 1997 when she became a patient at a day centre. Originally private, they gradually became a way for her to communicate complex thoughts and emotions that are difficult to articulate to her family, friends and professionals.
The drawings cover Bobby’s experiences of day hospitals, acute psychiatric wards, ‘crisis’ teams and a variety of treatments. They chart the ups and downs of her recovery, family life, work as an artist, breast cancer and just how funny all this harrowing stuff can be.
EXHIBITION
An exhibition of 158 diary drawings, selected from 711 made to date, began its tour at Wellcome Collection in March 2009, and was the first time she has shared the drawings with a wider public. The exhibition continues its national and international tour (see Latest! page for details).
BOOK
Find out about the book, Diary Drawings: Mental Illness and Me (Profile Books: 2010), here.
DIGITAL IMAGES
Digital images of the diary drawings are available to use from Wellcome Images. Please search their catalogue if you would like to use a digital image for academic, training or research purposes.
LINKS
Read about Diary Drawings in the Observer.
Watch a slideshow of Diary Drawings on the Guardian website.
Find out more about the exhibition on the Wellcome Collection website.
Watch a short video of Bobby on the BBC Headroom website.
