Two Temple Place’s 2026 exhibition The Weight of Being: Vulnerability, Resilience and Mental Health in Art is now open.
Exhibition opening hours Monday: CLOSED Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 11am – 6pm Wednesday: 11am – 9pm Sunday: 11am – 4.30pm Last entry is 20 mins before closing *Please note we will be closed on Saturday 21 February
Curated by Angela Thomas, this new exhibition explores artistic expression and mental health. Through depictions of deeply personal and collective experiences, it examines the powerful ways in which artists capture vulnerability, resilience, and their search for solace.
Including the work of a diverse range of twentieth century and contemporary artists and their varying perspectives, The Weight of Being showcases how artists have captured the psychological and emotional impact of societal pressures, resilience in the face of adversity, and existential uncertainty.
Alongside dozens of artworks drawn from galleries and collections across the UK, the portraits, landscapes, and figurative studies of the lesser-known artist John Wilson McCracken (1936–1982) are woven throughout. Denied the opportunity to return to the Slade School of Art following a period of hospitalisation for mental health reasons, McCracken spent much of his career in Hartlepool, producing work that reflects a profound sensitivity to the emotional and social pressures of his time. Shaped by personal and collective struggles, his art offers a deeply human perspective on the exhibition’s themes, revealing how external forces imprint themselves on the mind, body, and creative spirit.
Through the wide range of artists, mediums, and represented demographics, The Weight of Being is intended to spark meaningful conversations about resilience, identity, and emotional well-being, offering a profound reflection on the toll of existence and the strength found in shared experiences, ultimately fostering hope and deepening understanding.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a wide-ranging programme of cultural events for adults and children including talks, conversations, workshops, music and Wednesday Late openings until 9pm, as well as our acclaimed programme for state sector primary schools. Please see our What’s On page for more information.
The Weight of Being is a Two Temple Place exhibition, conceived and curated by Angela Thomas, as part of our cultural programme. Angela Thomas has been curator at Hartlepool Art Gallery for four years, where she leads a varied exhibition programme featuring contemporary art, photography, and the historic collection of Hartlepool Borough Council.
Hotels near Two Temple Place
Staying overnight in London?
Wondering where to stay that's close to Two Temple Place? We've teamed up with Booking.com to provide the best room rates for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs near the The Weight Of Being event in London.
Private Apartments - The
Private Apartments - The Strand Collection - Covent Garden is set in London, 300 metres from Somerset House. Lyceum Theatre is 400 metres away. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Private Apartment - Covent
Located 200 metres from Somerset House, Private Apartment - Covent Garden - Museum Area offers accommodation in London. The apartment is 300 metres from Lyceum Theatre. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property.
The Z Hotel City
The Z Hotel City offers accommodation in central London, opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, and just a 9-minute walk from Chancery Lane Tube Station. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar and there is free WiFi in all areas..
Apex Temple Court Hotel
Just off bustling Fleet Street, this luxury hotel is located in Londons historic Temple legal district. It boasts chic, stylish rooms with 40-inch TVs and Bose Mp3 docks, an elegant restaurant, and a modern gym..
SACO Fleet Street, Crane
Just half a mile from St Pauls Cathedral in the City of London, these apartments offer 4-star accommodation with a fantastic location. The bank of the Thames is a few minutes walk away..
St Dunstan's Court Apartments
St Dunstans Court Apartments is set in London, 600 metres from Somerset House. Theatre Royal Drury Lane is 700 metres from the property. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property.
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