Bridge Over Troubled Water, the first solo exhibition by Barrington opened this week [February 8] at the UK's biggest showcase of artistic talent by mental health service users.

The collection at the Bethlem Gallery showcases the artist’s unusual style combining naive visual language with perfectly repeated scenery drawn from his experiences growing up in Jamaica and England.

Barrington has already had his work exhibited in Selfridges' Museum of Everything and says he hopes that his painting can inspire other people with mental health problems to develop their own artistic careers.

"My work means a lot to me because it relaxes me and makes me happy when I am sad," he said. "I find that painting opens my mind and helps me to express myself. I have been painting for 15 years but whilst in [Bethlem Royal] hospital I started an art course and developed skills which have helped me in painting. From then I have not stopped."

The artist is also set to appear on BBC Three programme AL Kenedy: Art and Madness in April where he will highlight the occupational therapy arts programme at Bethlem which combine specialist training from arts staff with an open environment for all patients.

Art technician Josip Lizatovic said: "Joy elevates people and helps them to cope with what they are going through. Creative time can provide an outlet for expression, focus, play and freedom which acts as a valuable counterpoint for the restrictions of the hospital environment - the brain needs that."