'Art has saved my life'

A ONCE homeless man from Burton has shared how the healing power of art saved his life.

- By JOSEPH RICHARDS

Adam Suleman with some of his pieces

Adam Suleman, who spiralled into alcoholism in his 20s, has now been alcohol free for a year, while regular art classes provided through the Burton Addiction Centre have given him a new and welcome focus.

The 33-year-old is a resident with Derventio Housing Trust, which provides accommodation to around 1,200 people in the UK who would otherwise be homeless. It currently houses around 150 people in Staffordshire.

Adam said discovering how to express himself through art has helped him win the fight against alcohol and depression.

His compelling pieces - created using an iPad to which he has access in his art classes - explore themes of depression through striking symbolic imagery illustrating feelings of sorrow, desperation and hurt.

"I used to really struggle in groups to talk about my feelings and that stuff," added Adam, who is originally from Stoke-on-Trent.

"An art therapist, Steve Cunliffe, suggested art. He has become a mentor to me now. There's a local art group that he does called Station Street Studio, and I started going. It has saved my life. I have found a way to express myself now."