CHEMSEX STORIES
CHEMSEX STORIES PROJECT
For the immersive exhibition in Soho, London, CHEMTRAIL: This is Killing Us , Artist Matt Ford and Impulse LND brought together and recorded seven first-hand accounts from people with lived experience of chemsex. These were combined with perspectives from medical professionals and recovery workers to confront the addiction, mental health issues, and tragedies that continue to shape this often hidden culture.
To go along side the video testimonials Matt also prouded 2 artworks and a zine.
2nd Edition. Limited edition run of 500. Two cover options.
Profits from zine sales will go to Controlling Chemsex, a charity supporting those most affected.
CHEMSEX STORIES is a three part art project commissioned for the CHEMTRAIL: This is Killing Us exhibition, organised by Impulse London. It consists of seven video testimonials, two fine art collage portraits, and this accompanying zine.
The project brings together firsthand accounts from people with lived experience of chemsex, alongside contributions from mental health practitioners, offering invaluable insight into a culture often defined by addiction, mental health struggles, and loss.
Chemsex typically involves gay men using drugs such as crystal meth, GHB, or methadone in sexual settings, with fatal overdoses and psychological harm being common outcomes.
This zine acts as both an exhibition catalogue featuring artwork and installations by other contributing artists and experts from the project and a standalone artwork in its own right.
1st edition, with folded artwork sold out.
Artists featured in the zine:
Clyne Hamilton-Daniels
Mario Szabo
Paul James Kearney
Stuart Waters
Rosie Powell
Joe Armitage
Andy Pink
Commissioned by Impulse London, the exhibition and launch event brought the community together to address the stigma and shame felt by people asking for help.
In the accompanying zine, released under the same title, Matt collected work from the other artists involved along with excerpts from the videos.
The zine acts as an exhibition archive, informative physical object, and piece of artwork in its own right. The aim is to inform, inspire, and challenge perceptions of the chemsex phenomenon.
WATCH IN FULL: CHEMSEX STORIES
Originally conceived as a multi-screen installation at the exhibition, five of the seven short files are available to watch here:
CHEMSEX STORIES: 01 GIULIO
Mr Gay Europe 2011 shares his insights to living with a partner who also engaged in chemsex and the spiral that created.
Giulio is now an advocate for chemsex recovery.
CHEMSEX STORIES. 02 WAYNE.
Recovery Worker Wayne shares his lived experience and the and the darker and sometimes more dangerous side of the chemsex lifestyle.He also delves into how that led him down the path of personal recovery and how he helps others going though the same thing.
Ben, an Attitude award-winning therapist, shares his thoughts on navigating shame and finding help.
After secretly facilitating his own drug habitat in the past and overcoming it, he now helps others navigate their recovery and get the most out of life.
CHEMSEX STORIES. 04 CHARLIE
After being diagnosed with HIV, Charlie found solace in the wrong crowd which led him down the wrong path.
After breaking away from the problems, Charlie is now an advocate for chemsex recovery and is developing an app, GLYNDA, that will help others find help.
CHEMSEX STORIES. 06 DR MAURICIO
Dr Mauricio Alvarez, Clinical Psychologist, shares his insight into the reasons for addiction and behaviours associated with chemsex and lists the best paths and places to get help.
SIX AND A HALF. COLLAGE PORTRAIT
Collage portraits taken from the video portraits. The set was sold at controlling chemsex fundraiser for £800.
Watch how this art was made here.