Description
The Big Cold Turkey Foundation we set up in 2003 supports youth at risk or suffering from suffering addictions, or from the addictions of those close to them. As part of the aim to raise awareness around the effects of drug and alcohol abuse and other addictions, Marksteen embarked on a 3 year study working with Alan Dainton, a homeless beggar in Cheltenham battling addiction. The Big Cold Turkey worked with us to capture and visualise a two year collaborative study between ASHA’s partner, Marksteen Adamson. The beautifully produced book with a dust cover that opens up into a poster was launched at The Wilson Gallery. As part of the exhibition, visitors were invited to contemplate three huge portraits of Alan, displayed in a triptych, each representing a different state of mind. With a supporting video and book documenting Alan’s journey, visitors had the opportunity to help Alan and those in similar situations by purchasing collateral and donating plastic gold coins in one of three ways – sustentation, intervention and prevention.
Two weeks after the exhibition, Alan decided to stay off heroin and is now in sheltered accommodation in the Cheltenham YMCA. He is working on a recovery programme.
“If my story helps just one kid stay off drugs, it would still have been worth it. ” Alan Dainton
Marksteen Adamson was featured on BBC radio and at The Cheltenham Literature Festival, talking about ‘Behold the Man’.
The Exhibition was also exhibited in London a year later.
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