Frame of Mind exhibition goes on display in St Patrick’s University Hospital

A photography exhibition exploring meaningful moments is on display in St Patrick’s University Hospital.

The exhibition showcases 20 photographs by secondary school students from across Ireland. The photographs are shortlisted entries to the Frame of Mind photography competition from our Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) campaign.

The exhibition are currently on display in the Arts Space in St Patrick’s University Hospital, and is open to service users and their visitors, and staff.

As part of the competition, service users, staff and visitors were encouraged to vote for their favourite photograph, with voting now closed.

About the Frame of Mind competition

WIMS is our flagship awareness-raising and mental health education campaign, with a particular focus on promoting mental health and wellbeing with young people. Every year, it runs the Frame of Mind competition to strengthen mental health awareness and reduce stigma through creative practice.

Over the last number of years, Frame of Mind ran as a short film and TikTok competition. However, the 2022/23 contest took a new direction, running as a photography competition which invited secondary school students to submit photographs showing the meaningful moments in their lives. 

Over 130 entries to the competition were received, with a judging panel selecting the 20 photos for the competition shortlist and exhibition. Along with our own Director of Services, Tom Maher, the judges included photographers Ruth Medjber and Marc O’Sullivan.

Following the vote by our service users, staff and visitors, the top three most popular entries to the competition will be awarded first, second and third place prizes. The student taking the first place award will receive a €1,000 prize for themselves, and a further €1,000 for their school. Students and schools in second and third place will each get €500 prizes.

Shortlisted entries

The 20 entries shortlisted photographs on display in the exhibition are below.

Always Find Time for the Things That Make You Happy

Natalia Kulesza | Youthreach New Ross, Butlersland, New Ross, County Wexford

Change of Focus

Amelie O’Kelly Brown | Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, County Kilkenny

Child-Like Wonder

Ava Hutton | Collinstown Park Community College, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Christmas Lights

Laura Dullea | Coláiste Muire Crosshaven, Crosshaven, County Cork

Field Day

Chloe Ní Cheallaigh | Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Asca, Ceatharlach (Askea, County Carlow)

Home

Lucia Gomez Delgado | St Finian's Community College, Swords, County Dublin

Low Sun, Low Tide

Samara Ní­ Bhoghaigh | Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Asca, Ceatharlach (Askea, County Carlow)

My Grandfather and I

Daniel O’Sullivan | Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, Galway

My Happy Place

MJ Dowling | St Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin, County Wicklow

Nature and Humanity

Christopher MacNally | Sutton Park School, St Fintan's Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

Promise of Renewal

Rachel Davis | Our Lady's School, Templeogue Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W

Resetting the Sunset

Róisín Murray | St Mary's Secondary School, Mallow, Cork

Rocking Out

Alix Brady | Collinstown Park Community College, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Slua Mór | Aviva Stadium

Erik Valentine | Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, County Kilkenny

Sunset Wishes

Sydney Sharpe | Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, County Kilkenny

The Great Descent

Shane Ryan | St Munchins College, Corbally, Limerick

The Sisters

Fayomade Owoade | Ashbourne Community School, Ashbourne, County Meath

Unconditional Love

Vivien Nesbitt | Sutton Park School, St. Fintan's Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

Waiting

Maria Kryachko | Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Cnoc na Labhras, Limerick City

Wild Life

Shu Wei Zhong | Santa Sabina Dominican College, Greenfield Road, Howth Demesne, Dublin

Awards

WIMS Campaign Manager, Amanda McArdle, says:

"We are thrilled with the response to this year’s Frame of Mind competition. Photography can be a great way of capturing moments in life that mean a lot to us, and expressing ourselves creatively can benefit our wellbeing. This came through very strongly in the entries we received, and the standard of photographs is incredible."

She continues:

"Students put so much effort, imagination and personality into their entries. We’d like to thank and congratulate every student and school who took part. We also wish to thank everyone who saw the exhibition and shared their vote: all of this coming together helps to bring more awareness to mental health and wellbeing”.

The awards will be announced on the WIMS website and social media on 7 March: you can find out more about the competition here.