Artist Shannon Maggie produced a collaborative mixed media project working with members of the VC Gallery. The project’s aim was to inspire participants to reclaim their self-image and gain confidence and control over their perception of themselves. Maggie wished to curate a visual representation of the multiplicity and complexity of identity, particularly concerning mental health. 

The exercise involved photographing members of the VC gallery followed by the participants painting over said portraits. The outcomes were created using sheets of acetate, placed on top of the portraits and then painted using acrylics. Participants were invited to deface, accentuate, cover or unveil their self-image in any way they deemed appropriate. Shannon Maggie drew inspiration from the VC gallery's founder, Barry John MBE. John’s artistic process is similar to that of Maggie’s in that both artists enjoy re-contextualising existing works through mixed media methods.