A visual art exhibition highlighting the links between poor mental health and human trafficking is extending its run in Helensburgh.

‘Until We All Can’ opened in the Oak Tree Gallery on Wednesday, October 18 to mark Anti-Slavery Day.

It was originally due to close on October 21, but will now remain open until Saturday, October 28.

Organised by artist group the Stay Seen Collective, the display aims to raise awareness and funds for Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland [SOHTIS] – the country’s leading anti-trafficking charity who identify and recover victims and provide long term support for survivors.

The show includes work from 12 artists which focuses on the traumatic effects of human trafficking and how vulnerable people are more likely to be targeted.

Development and partnership manager at SOHTIS, Gill Houlsby, said: “Poor mental health can contribute to making someone more vulnerable to being trafficked.

“It is also one of the most profound, devastating, and lasting impacts for people with lived experience of human trafficking.

“A huge thank you to all the 12 artists who have contributed work to this show.

“Thank you also to the local Coop who sponsored the exhibition, Dawn Perry at The Oak Tree Gallery for her warmth, enthusiasm and professional talent and to everyone who has come to visit so far.”

The exhibition also hopes to bring attention to the rising issue of human trafficking in Scotland as cases have tripled over the past five years and have been reported in each Scottish council area.

Gill added: “Identified human trafficking has tripled in Scotland in the last five years and there is widely accepted concern that the problem is significantly higher than is represented in the national data.

“Human trafficking is much closer to home than most people realise - cases have been identified in each and every one of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.

“It’s a crime that is often ‘hidden in plain sight.’”

‘Until We All Can’ is listed as part of the Scottish Mental Health Art Festival and all money raised from the event will go directly to SOHTIS.

The Stay Seen Collective was inspired by Scottish fine artist Linda Hoskins who is a fine art graduate of Gray’s Art School and has experience working in the third sector.

In March 2020 she launched the Stay Seen Project and the project has since evolved into an group of artists.

To find out more about SOHTIS or to enquire about joining the Stay Seen Collective, email development@sohtis.org.