[Art and equality: Budapest Art Brut Gallery and PsychArt® 24 Art Marathon].

Abstract

In our society, the perception of psychiatric patients is not favourable, and negative prejudices do not promote the social reintegration of the persons concerned. Many covert and overt stigmatisations and discriminations in the public mood, as in the public discourse and in the functioning of institutions repeatedly affect people with psychiatric illnesses, those involved in psychiatric treatment and psychiatric institutions. In 2009, the Moravcsik Foundation established the Budapest Art Brut Gallery (BAB Gallery) which provides a showcase for art brut and outsider artists, art therapy workshops and contemporary artists. The mission of the gallery is to contribute to a positive change in the social attitudes and prejudices towards people with mental illnesses and marginalised people, and to create equal opportunities in the cultural and artistic life. Another important mission of the gallery is to showcase and promote the works of art created by people with mental illnesses. The basic idea behind the creation of PsychArt® 24 is to bring participants closer together through joint creative work, using the language and expressive means of art, and to get to know each other's perspectives, thoughts and ways of seeing. The creative session which lasts for 24 hours in a shared space and the spontaneous unconditional communication create opportunities and help individuals with mental illnesses to distinguish between themselves and their illnesses with confidence, strengthen their social relationships and increase their self-esteem. Through the community of PsychArt® 24, opportunity, support and security are not only offered to people with a psychiatric illness, but also for the other participants who create with them and can experience the uplifting experience of being together and the removal of their prejudices and fears. The PsychArt® 24 Art Marathon anti-stigma programme helps to reduce prejudice against people with psychosocial disabilities and to create cultural equality through raising awareness.