TWENTY artists are contributing to a new exhibition by Graham Martin at the LRC Exhibition Space, York College.

The show began life as a "mail art project", whereby artists were asked to design a pill-bottle label on the theme of Medicine For The Soul and provide instructions for use and colour of pills. The complete work was then assembled by Graham.

"It is a reflection on art, medicine and society, and explores notions of illness and cure and their relationship to culture and the life strategies we embrace and imbibe," says Graham, who lives in Beresford Terrace, York.

"Medicine For The Soul consists of 20 specially-made medicine cabinets, each containing a soul medicine, and underneath each is a prescription form detailing name of pills and instructions for use."

Displayed alongside are related works from Graham's art practice; new pieces exploring healing and medicine; and Tibetan medicine pills and artefacts.

"The Tibetan holistic and sacred approach is a major influence on my life," says Graham.

Among the cabinets on show are: Essence Of Omnipresence; Sunrise Pills; Time Capsules; Natural Great Peace Pills; Bracelets, made of sweets and painkillers; Tate Gallery Pills; Mind Colouring Powders; and Lifestyle Envy & Loser Anxiety Medicine.

The exhibition is on display at York College, Tadcaster Road, York, until May 7 (closed Good Friday and Easter Monday), and will be shown at the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds, with cash support from the Arts Council of England.

Updated: 09:18 Friday, April 09, 2004