First Ever Inside Out Art Competition Launched to Help Banish Stigma of Skin Disease

12/10/04 - PRNewswire

First Ever Inside Out Art Competition Launched to Help Banish Stigma of Skin Disease PRNewswire LONDON December 11

LONDON, December 11 /PRNewswire/ --

Anna Ryder Richardson, Changing Rooms designer, today added a touch of artistry to the world of dermatology by launching the groundbreaking Inside Out art competition. The national contest, sponsored by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and in collaboration with the Psoriasis Association, aims to highlight the personal impact of the debilitating skin disease psoriasis.

Launching the competition, Anna Ryder Richardson said: "Sometimes it can be hard for people to talk about their feelings - particularly in relation to a very visible disease such as psoriasis. Lots of people find that art can be a good outlet for expressing the way they feel. I am delighted to be part of an initiative that not only encourages people to participate in art, but will also help reduce the stigma that still surrounds the condition."

Psoriasis, for which there is no known cure, affects around 2% of the UK population(1) and can have a profound effect on the sufferer's quality of life(1). The condition can be very irritable and uncomfortable and more severe forms can require intensive medical and nursing care. Widespread ignorance about the nature of psoriasis and the real or imagined reactions of others may also lead to withdrawal from society and to feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety and defensive shyness(1).

The competition theme is Inside Out - which represents the dual impact that a skin disease such as psoriasis can have. Not only does it physically affect the outside of the body, but it can also have an impact on how people feel about themselves - therefore affecting both the inside and outside of a person.

The competition is exclusively for people with psoriasis, their families, friends and carers, and judges will be looking for entries that individually portray the impact of psoriasis. Shortlisted entrants will have their work displayed at an exclusive exhibition in London and will have the chance to win a cash prize and a place on a weekend course for artists.

Gladys Edwards, Chairman of the Psoriasis Association and member of the judging panel, said: "Psoriasis can have a huge psychological impact in terms of confidence and self-esteem which isn't helped by lack of public awareness about the condition. We hope the competition will help bring some of the misconceptions around the psoriasis to the fore."

The Inside Out Art Competition is sponsored by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Notes to editors

Competition

The art competition is open to anyone who has psoriasis, their families, friends and carers. Twelve regional and category winners will win GBP100, have their work displayed in an exclusive exhibition in London and will also be featured in the 2006 Inside Out calendar. One overall winner will win GBP500.

Entrants can submit their artwork in any of the following formats: * Painting * Drawing * Cartoon * Prints and collage * Photography * Digitally produced images The judging panel, comprises: * Anna Ryder-Richardson * Gladys Edwards - Chairman of the Psoriasis Association * Paul Burstow - Liberal Democrat MP * Helen Richards - Clinical Psychologist with specialist interest in dermatology * Gill Markham - Wyeth

Entry forms are available from www.insideoutartcompetition.co.uk

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a recurrent skin disease, whereby the usual replacement processes of the skin are accelerated.

Normally a skin cell matures in 21 to 28 days during its passage to the surface, where a constant shedding of dead cells, also known as scales, takes place. Psoriatic cells, however, are believed to turn over in two to three days(1) and in such profusion that even live cells reach the surface and accumulate with the dead cells in visible layers(1).

Psoriasis is characterised by raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It can occur on any part of the body.(1)

References

(1) The Psoriasis Association, What is psoriasis, 2004

Wyeth

Wyeth is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with a major focus on developing innovative new medicines to improve health and well-being. In the UK, Wyeth is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies with a broad portfolio of leading products across a wide range of treatment areas, including rheumatology, gastro-intestinal disease, mental health, women's healthcare, haemophilia, prostate cancer, rheumatology, infectious disease, and transplantation. Wyeth is also a major force in preventative medicine, with a range of paediatric and adult vaccines.