Hear Marissa cofounder of With-you explains their involvement in the exhibition and the importance of narrative based approaches.

Marissa’s experience of personal trauma stems from the pregnancy and birth of her daughter Gretel. She carried her for 20 weeks knowing that her baby was suffering from a lifethreatening heart condition. Birth was a bitter sweet experience, with the constant fear of her child’s fragility.

The world became grey and monochrome, full of fears and uncertainty. Heightened with memories and flashbacks triggered by bleeping monitors and sirens.

Marissa’s personal recovery is epitomised by colour. Colour coming into her daughter’s body and into Marissa’s world. The painting features a picture taken of Gretel wearing a dragon costume. This was used by the British Heart Foundation in a national fundraising campaign – Ramp up the Red.

The image of Marissa holding a monochrome heart rather than her baby was based on Marissa’s recollections of her strength, courage, determination, resilience, but also vulnerability.

Andy is indebted to Marissa & all at With-you for their support Andy over the past seven years. With which none of this work would have been possible.