Youth Voices: Art That Tells Their Story
Through their art, young people in our mentoring and retreat programs share their stories with remarkable courage and honesty. Each piece is more than a creation—it’s a glimpse into their experiences, emotions, and perspectives, offered openly for the world to see.
By showcasing their work, we honour their bravery, celebrate their voices, and remind ourselves of the power of creativity to express what words alone cannot.
I’m constantly in an all or nothing mindset. It’ll either feel everything is meaningless or it’ll feel like everything is extremely important. At times it can be negative, at times positive. It’ll feel like I can live my life and stop worrying because nothing truly matters, then it’ll feel like everything is pointless because nothing truly matters.
Then it’ll completely flip and feel like life is so beautiful and everything little thing is meaningful, then it’ll feel like I have to be perfect at everything and I can’t slip up because every little thing is meaningful. Then sometimes, I have moments where I stop and think, “What am I doing? I’m just a kid.” This piece represents those moments. Moments that I can sit in silence and just be… okay.
When Grief Turns to Colours
This painting began as a tribute to my best friend, who took her own life on 19/11/24. While creating it, I received the heartbreaking news that one of my close friends had also ended her own life. I now honour them both in this artwork.
Grief surrounds my world—it’s become a part of who I am. I carry the loss of my two beautiful friends with me every day. Their radiant light and infectious laughter could fill a room, and their gentle kindness made your heart feel full.
This painting is at sunset, symbolising the beauty of what I believe our angels are painting in the sky every evening. They’re still with me in spirit, in the colours of the sky, and in the clouds. Their warmth is still here, their melody is still alive, it’s just their body that’s gone. I have the girls standing with me, through it all.
There was a thousand moments with them that I had just taken for granted – mostly because I assumed there would be a thousand more. So please, hold your loved ones, make sure they know how loved they are. You never know when someone’s silently suffering.
May their beautiful souls rest in peace—no longer tormented by their minds.
19/11/24
27/07/25
I have struggled with many things but this artwork represents how I have always struggled with letting it out and instead felt like I had to bottle it up and say that I was fine. this shows that in an upside down world I would cry oceans full and I could drown in the tears
I try my hardest but
It’s so hard to keep fighting the currents when all I want to do is let go and let the water take me down to where the shadows whant me to be
Where no one will ever find me
This is me and how I feel
"Anna"
Anna is a reflective artwork by Holli Lang. It is inspired by recovery from anorexia. The thoughts, emotions, ideas and quotes associated with an Eating Disorder. Holli hopes putting her artwork out there will help others feel less alone.
I had a very different plan for this artwork when I first started it. I never managed to finish the painting because I live with chronic fatigue. At first, I didn’t want to include it in this exhibition since it’s unfinished but I decided to show it anyway. Not everything has to meet your original expectations, and sometimes things-like my health-can disrupt your plans, but that doesn’t mean they have to ruin them.
Through our mentoring and retreat programs, these young people have developed the confidence and skills to share their stories and creativity with the world. Each artwork and statement is a reflection of their growth, resilience, and the support they’ve received — a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are given space to express themselves and be seen.
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