Pembrokeshire born and bred, multidisciplinary artist, performer and mental health storyteller whose creative practice explores the relationship between trauma, emotion, identity and healing will be hosting an exhibition at the Joanna Field Gallery, Torch Theatre, this September. Lucie O’Neill’s exhibition - METANOIA: The Transformative Mind of a Traumatised Dreamer, will focus on matters surrounding mental health and emotional experiences.

Lucie studied English Literature, Fine Art, Media and Drama at A Level before heading to study Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University. Her final-year work focused on broadcast media and mental health storytelling, for which she received the Bournemouth University Students’ Union Mental Health Awareness Award. She has always been a creative butterfly, dancing her whole life, but when covidcovid hit, Lucie’s creativity was affected like many, and she decided to raise awareness that people shouldn’t be alone and that art is something to be shared.

“Having first sought support for my own mental health at 19 for symptoms of PTSD, I became passionate about using storytelling and creativity to raise awareness of mental health and give a voice to people navigating emotional distress who may feel alone or trapped within their own minds,” explained Lucie.

Following university, she returned to Pembrokeshire and began painting as a way of processing and healing from trauma, creating artwork inspired by her mental wellbeing and emotional experiences. She established her creative wellbeing brand, Escape Your Mind, selling prints and taking commissions. Her work was exhibited in venues and art fairs across Pembrokeshire, and in 2021 one of her pieces was selected for the Create for Wellbeing exhibition in Bristol.

Lucie trained as a teacher, graduating from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David with a PGCE in Drama. She subsequently spent four years at Pembrokeshire College as a Lecturer inCreative Arts and Dance Instructor.

Alongside teaching, Lucie performed at gigs and began writing her own songs. She collaborated with musician Will Hughes to develop her vision for a concept album, METANOIA: The Transformative Mind of a Traumatised Dreamer. The project grew beyond music into a multidisciplinary body of work, with Lucie creating original artwork for each song to visually represent the emotions, behaviours and experiences explored through the stages of healing.

“Drawing on my background in dance and performance, I also incorporate short sections of tap dancing into some of the songs, adding another physical and rhythmic dimension to the project,” added Lucie.

In 2024, she returned to therapy to work through complex trauma and was offered group art therapy at Bro Cerwyn. Art therapy became an important part of her creative journey, helping her visually recognise, heal and release emotions through specific art strategies and group discussions.

She added: “My exhibition is an immersive exhibition combining visual art and short musical clips to explore the emotional journey from crisis towards healing and self-worth. Each original artwork is paired with a snippet of its corresponding track from my upcoming album, inviting visitors to listen while experiencing the artwork and connecting with the emotion behind each piece.”

Visitors can experience a short musical chapter from each stage of the transformation: Crisis · Distress · Anguish · Courage · Perspective · Acceptance · Gratitude · Freedom · Self-Worth. QR codes beside each artwork allow visitors to access the accompanying music clips through their mobile device, offering an opportunity to hear snippets of METANOIA ahead of the album’s full release in 2027.

For the best experience, visitors are encouraged to bring their own Bluetooth headphones and a mobile device. A small number of headphones will also be available at the exhibition.

“The project is not intended to replace professional or therapeutic support. Instead, I hope it can offer a creative outlet, a sense of connection and a way of exploring emotions during periods when people feel alone or waiting for further help,” explained the artist.

Her journey led her to Rockfield Studios after entering a Pro7ect songwriting competition with two METANOIA demos. Although coming in the top 10% of Wales, she narrowly missed out on a winning place and was offered a discounted place on the Songwriting Retreat. She took the opportunity to collaborate with artists from around the world and work alongside industry producers including Gethin Pearson, Greg Haver and Andrew Levy in her group sessions.

Following the retreat, Lucie connected with Welsh producer Gethin Pearson and began developing the next stage of METANOIA at his studio, The Institute of Sonic Architecture as well as StuiOwz. Gethin works with grassroots artists but also has an extensive background working with artists including Charli XCX, Bloc Party and Badly Drawn Boy. Lucie and Will have additionally worked with professional bass musician Dan Pugsley, formerly of a well-known Welsh rock band, and up-and-coming Welsh drummer Jack Charles to develop the album’s sonic sound.

A track co-written during Lucie’s Pro7ect Rockfield Songwriting Retreat will also feature on the album. Centred around freedom, the song was created collaboratively by Lucie, fellow featured artist Carys Bromham, the session musicians and producer Andrew Levy of The Brand New Heavies, who has previously worked with Mark Ronson and Jamiroquai.

Lucie has teamed up with local mental health organisations supporting the exhibition, including West Wales Action for Mental Health, The VC Gallery, Hiraeth Haven and Henry.H Art Academy.

In partnership with Barry John at The VC Gallery, Lucie will also be hosting a series of community art workshops with Qualified Art Therapist Ellie Hanley, responding to the themes and artwork within the exhibition over the coming months.

The exhibtion will be open during Box Office hours  from 12^th– 29^th September. Phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 / visit torchtheatre.co.uk or follow @lucieoneill.music @escapeyour_mind.

Image: Adam Shaun