Two Temple Place is delighted to announce our next exhibition The Weight of Being: Vulnerability, Resilience and Mental Health in Art due to open at the end January 2026, curated by Angela Thomas.

The Weight of Being will explore the profound ways in which external pressures shape artistic expression, mental health, and resilience, highlighting the power of art as a means of expression, resistance, and survival.

Including the work of a diverse range of twentieth century and contemporary artists and their varying perspectives, The Weight of Being will showcase how artists have captured the psychological and emotional impact of societal pressures, resilience in the face of adversity, and existential uncertainty.

Through the wide range of artists, mediums, and represented demographics, The Weight of Being is intended to spark meaningful conversations about resilience, identity, and emotional well-being, offering a profound reflection on the toll of existence and the strength found in shared experiences, ultimately fostering hope and deepening understanding.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a wide-ranging programme of cultural events for adults and children including talks, conversations, workshops, music and Wednesday Late openings until 9pm, as well as our acclaimed programme for state sector primary schools.

The Weight of Being is a Two Temple Place exhibition, conceived and curated by Angela Thomas, as part of our cultural programme. Angela Thomas has been curator at Hartlepool Art Gallery for four years, where she leads a varied exhibition programme featuring contemporary art, photography, and the historic collection of Hartlepool Borough Council.