WHAT?  Jason and the Adventure of 254

WHERE?  Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road , London NW1 2BE

WHEN?  Now until 12th January 2025  Free to visit 

WHY GO?  For a roller coaster of emotions.  Imagine yourself as a child of eleven, unexpectedly becoming paralysed until the age of sixteen, what would your world look like from a hospital bed?

This is what digital artist Jason Wilsher-Mills experienced after being diagnosed with an auto-immune condition after contracting chicken pox and his childhood memories are portrayed in this stirring, deeply personal exhibition.  

Contrary to being gloomy, it is joyful. Though still disabled (in a wheelchair), Wilsher-Mills has made a fantastic success of his talents as an artist recording his imaginative world during that period.  Life as a patient has led to this exhibition which is full of love and humour.

Love, because his family were always at his side and humour because he has recorded significant moments, like the exact time of 2.54pm precisely, when he and his parents were told of his diagnosis, as his mind wandered off to watch Sebastian Coe on TV winning gold at the 1980 Olympics.

That he had such recall at such a moment is testament to his powerful positivity and 2.54 is thus embedded in the exhibition header. 

Jason’s hospital days were measured by creating a fantasy world of action heroes creatively translated throughout this exhibition.  It’s a kaleidoscope of humorous images, sculpture and light-box dioramas, a life affirming example of how someone can triumph over adversity.  

IN THE KNOW 

The Wellcome Collection is a free museum exploring everything related to health and the human body with regular exhibitions, a permanent museum, research library, cafe and gift shop.  Running alongside the main exhibition, Jason and his Argonauts, which was originally commissioned in 2021 by Shape Arts and Folkestone Triennial will be on display in the atrium from 20th May to 8th September.