Art installation urges women to 'burst' self-doubt

An interactive art installation at London's Battersea Power Station has been created by women throwing paint-filled balloons at a giant canvas.

Female passers-by were encouraged to write negative feelings about themselves on the balloons before hurling them.

Once the canvas was covered in paint a message was revealed, saying "burst your self-doubt".

The project is part of a campaign by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) to highlight self-esteem related issues faced by women.

A study carried out by BACP suggested almost half of women struggle with, or are affected by, self-esteem issues that impact their day-to-day choices.

Body image is the leading source of such problems, followed by social comparisons, career, and romantic relationships.

One woman involved in the project, Nyeela, said she went to a school in Hampstead, north-west London, where she was one of the few ethnically diverse people and the "darkest-skinned student".

She said she "warped the story in my mind to being black and being wrong and my self-esteem took a huge dip, I got depression and anxiety".

She said her mental health was seriously affected and she struggled until seeking therapy.

The final interactive art piece will be a visual representation of concerns experienced by participants, BACP said, as the paint filled balloons are colour coded by each related issue.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]