Fault Lines Launches at Irish Cultural Centre

Exhibition features portraits of male icons who took their own lives

The artist Damien McGinley in front of his portrait of Keith Flint

January 19, 2026

A powerful new art exhibition exploring male suicide is about to open at the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in Hammersmith, with proceeds supporting the mental health charity HFEH Mind. FAULT LINES, a collection by internationally recognised Irish artist Damien McGinley, runs from 22 January to 17 April and features 13 large-scale oil portraits of male cultural icons who took their own lives.

The exhibition, three years in the making, includes portraits of figures such as Vincent van Gogh, Ernest Hemingway, Kurt Cobain, Keith Flint, Robin Williams and Alexander McQueen. A newly added work depicts the late Irish Olympic boxer Darren Sutherland.

McGinley, who has received awards from Culture Ireland, the Irish Embassy and Arts Council England, created the series after a conversation with friends about the number of men they had known who had died by suicide. “Our project’s focus is quite simple. It is to increase dialogue around men’s mental health,” he said. “If we can manage that, who knows how many lines we can cross.”

Up close, the paintings appear as abstract vertical lines, resembling barcodes. From a distance, they resolve into instantly recognisable faces. McGinley developed the technique after observing the effect of rain streaking across a window at night.

Hammersmith and Fulham has the highest suicide rate of any London borough, making the ICC a poignant setting for the exhibition. Entry is free, with organisers suggesting a voluntary £14 donation to reflect the 14 men who die by suicide each day in the UK.

Rosalind Scanlon, Cultural Director at the ICC, said the centre was “delighted to host the powerful and visually striking exhibition,” adding that the works “invite audiences to reflect on the often-hidden struggles behind public personas.” She said proceeds from the sale of the paintings would go directly to HFEH Mind to support its work on men’s mental health.

While the full collection will remain together for the touring exhibition, visitors will be able to purchase the Darren Sutherland portrait, as well as limited-edition prints and other items. Thirty per cent of proceeds from these sales will support HFEH Mind’s frontline services across Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow.

Portraits by Damien McGinley of Robin Williams (left) and Michael Hutchence (right)

The exhibition is supported by Hammersmith Broadway, Bradmore Square and Fulham Broadway shopping centres, which will host interactive installations, performances and mental health information to extend the campaign beyond the ICC.

Ben Abbiw, General Manager at Hammersmith & Fulham Broadway, said the centres wanted to “bring an urgent conversation about men’s mental health into a shared, everyday space where people live, work and connect.”

An official launch event will take place on 5 February, the eve of Mind’s national Time to Talk Day. The evening, part of the ICC’s Friday Night Lights series, will combine art, music, film, theatre and live performance, with contributions from artists and speakers with lived experience. Tickets are available through HFEH Mind.

Nicholas Smith, Head of Marketing and Communications at HFEH Mind, said hosting the exhibition in Hammersmith was “of vital importance,” adding: “Helping ignite the discussion and ending the stigma by ensuring as many people know that mental health support is available, and to not go it alone.”

As part of the campaign, visitors who share photos or videos of themselves at the exhibition or playing one of the branded pianos in Hammersmith or Fulham Broadway, and tag @HFEHMind, will be entered into a draw to win a signed, hand-embellished limited-edition print worth £1,495.

Further information and tickets for the launch event are available here.