Art

Street Art: Mary Vallely's aquatic paintings help her deal with depression

The Big Issue's Street Art page gives talented, marginalised individuals an outlet for creative expression

‘Beneath The Surface’
By Mary Vallely

Mary’s colourful, aquatic paintings are her way of helping to deal with her depression and a history of homelessness. She has been working as an artist in London for more than 10 years, selling and exhibiting via Café Art and Crisis.

“My goal next year is to get a solo exhibition,” she says. Recently Mary has begun experimenting with a new craft. “I have started attending a knitting group at Recovery College,” she says.

“The process is more methodical and regimented than my painting, but the discipline seems to be influencing my approach to that, and maybe it is also changing as I get older. I want my work to be cleaner, perhaps due to periods of ill health. I want to get healthier, think healthier.”

Support our street artists over at The Big Issue Shop.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Artist with autism uses drawing to make sense of the trauma of losing his home
Christopher Hoggins Roof-less eviction art book
RENTING

Artist with autism uses drawing to make sense of the trauma of losing his home

Acclaimed artist My Dog Sighs auctions off iconic painting to 'help those struggling and lost'
Art

Acclaimed artist My Dog Sighs auctions off iconic painting to 'help those struggling and lost'

'The image says it all': The meaning behind Banksy's new London tree mural, revealed
Art

'The image says it all': The meaning behind Banksy's new London tree mural, revealed

Artists pays tribute to Big Issue vendors in thought-provoking project: 'Ordinary moments go unnoticed'
Our Vendors

Artists pays tribute to Big Issue vendors in thought-provoking project: 'Ordinary moments go unnoticed'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know