
Obsession at the Asylum merges Amelia’s interest in history and art, bringing the themes of Obsession for Perfection into a deep reflection on the West Ridings Pauper Lunatic Asylum’s complex legacy. The project aimed to captivate the local community in Wakefield, shedding light on the asylum’s significant yet often overlooked role in the region’s history.
The West Ridings Pauper Lunatic Asylum, later known as Stanley Royd Hospital, was established in the early 1800s as one of the first mental health institutions to offer “moral care” for the “insane poor.” At a time when mental health care was largely rudimentary and stigmatised, the asylum became a pioneering effort in the treatment of those suffering from mental illness, despite the grim conditions and limited resources. The research behind this project distills the history of this institution, focusing on both the positive and negative impact on both patients and the local community.
Central to the installation is the symbolic use of a penny farthing coin—referencing the scant resources available to the paupers who were admitted. Over 23,000 circles were traced to represent the obsessive tendencies that could manifest in the minds of those committed to the asylum. This act of repetition draws a stark connection between the physical limitations imposed on the patients and the mental strain they endured.
The installation was designed to engage the audience, inviting visitors to trace around their own coins as a form of participation. The interactive element aimed to encourage conversations around mental health, exploring how the themes of obsession, stigma, and care persist in contemporary society.
Photography credits Bob Clayden.