Winning and Losing Games (artwork)

An artwork by "Psychiatric patient 7"which shows coloured shapes. This is about winning and losing games. She would cheat, sometimes for herself and sometimes for the person with whom she was playing (Rita Simon). At the age of 15 she wanted to leave school: it was a time of fragmentation and uncertainty. Her aunt was a hairdresser: should she join her? She dictated a poem, and did go to work for the aunt. But she needed time to work through. Rita Simon suggested that she paint finished pictures for her family to see. The descriptions of the artworks are taken from notes written by Wellcome staff during conversations with Rita Simon between 1995 and 1997:

The title has been taken from notes made during conversations between Rita Simon and Wellcome staff between 1995 and 1997.

The date has been taken from information provided on the artwork as 4 November 1974.

Rita Simon's style classification: Traditional Transition.

1973-1975

1 artwork Gouache on brown paper. 44.3 x 50.8 cm.

A girl, about 13 years old, referred to Rita Simon by Social Services. At the age of 4 she had had an epileptic fit, was put on anti-epileptic drugs, but forgot to take them and didn't have any more fits. She was diagnosed as "Phobic" and had to be forced to attend school. In secondary school she was placed in a class for children with learning difficulties. She brought her own paper and felt pens, did fragmentary drawings, then began to paint in a remarkable way. She became assertive and competitive and was very aggressive towards Rita Simon.

This information is taken from conversations between Rita Simon and Wellcome staff between 1995 and 1997.