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Artist commits to one year of sponsored silence

Howard Lake | 15 September 2021 | News

Sean Houlihan, known artistically as Bear Intentions, with his hands over his mouth
Bear Intentions (Sean Houlihan)

An artist and former personal trainer to city workers is undertaking a year-long sponsored silence to raise funds for The Creative Mental Health Charity PoetsIN.

Sean Houlihan, known artistically as Bear Intentions, has vowed to spend 365 days “listening in silence” to raise £100,000 the UK charity.

Four years of intentions

He is not stopping there though. The year of silence is the first of ‘four years of intentions’, a series of challenges to raise money and awareness for mental, physical, social and environmental health conditions.

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Houlihan said: “I’ve spent the last nine years travelling around the world and meeting so many different people. My adventures have helped give me a broad perspective and awareness of how incredibly lucky I am to be in good health, so I have decided to help others who are not.”

“There’s no doubt that listening in silence and refraining from talking for an entire year is going to be incredibly tough, but if it helps others to start these conversations then it’s worth it.”


SEE ALSO: Royal British Legion achieves a top 20 position for its two minutes silence single in 2010.

Paul Chambers, co-founder and chief operating officer of the Creative Mental Health Charity PoetsIN, said:

“We are hugely honoured that Sean has chosen to start his Four Years of Intentions project with us. Mental health – in the last year particularly – has become hugely important and it’s vital we spread awareness and encourage people to recognise when they might need a bit of added support.”

Sean will launch with the event The Art of Tension on Thursday 7th October and will start his vow of silence on his 31st birthday on 8th October. Tickets are available for the event being held at Open House Hackney, E9.

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