As the conversation around mental health continues online with articles, sharing platforms, communities and hashtags, writer and curator Bryony Stone is highlighting the importance of real life, face-to-face communication too in a new exhibition opening tonight under Waterloo station, titled all in: the mind.
Featuring work by multidisciplinary artists such as Tim Noble, Gary Card, Liam Hodges and Akinola Davies, the exhibition focuses on those working in the creative industries, so each artist has been tasked with examining their own personal relationship with mental health. As a writer and curator, Bryony has worked in the media since she graduated; talking to LOVE magazine about the show she said, “I've been struck by the extreme stress placed on those working in creative fields, whether that's in advertising, fashion, music or the art world — to work faster, harder, better. The pressure is coming from all angles — from agents, clients, bosses and competitors, as well as from peers. It goes without saying that social media is one of the biggest feeders of the comparison culture which I see as directly tied to rising reports of anxiety, depression and mental health issues.”
Click through to see some of the artworks from the show, which runs at House of Vans from Thursday 10th until Sunday 20th August and includes a panel discussion on 17th August. All proceeds go to MIND.
Gary Card, Sculpture
“I wanted to create something that depicted the emotional strain a mental health sufferer may feel in a very literal sense. The creature on the man’s back is choking him. I felt like a shackle around the neck could describe the chokehold mental health problems may have.”
Holly Blakey and Mica Levi, "Wrath"
“After taking residence at Southbank Centre’s Collision Festival, London, Mica Levi and Holly Blakey make a duet of solo guitar and dancer in this gum-chewing, colour-changing portrait of Nandi Bhebhe. Choreographed by Blakey, soundtracked by Levi while directed by both artists collaboratively, it presents a burst of work made from a longer 30-minute piece of choreography seeing Bhebhe alone, eyes to camera, raging on a pile of sand, militant, womanly and full of wrath.”
Tim Noble, "Boy being sick on bird"
“I have a drawing, it hangs above the loo in a house by the sea, a family who recently rented the house felt the need to complain about the drawing. The customer is always right but actually, fuck off! There is a need for adults to take the higher moral ground. This is art, you are in a house that an artist frequents and some people don't always understand that art can look this way and it's real, it's not always pretty and colourful. Things that emerge from the recesses of the mind are unpredictable, that makes it a fiercely fertile pool to draw from.
"My greatest learning curve has come from making mistakes, but ultimately the rewards lay in opening up new ways of thinking.”
Joey Yu, "Crowd"
"'Crowd' is a manifestation of the city. The throng, and the mass of too many voices but no one really listening."
Campbell Addy, "Niijournal II"
"'Niijournal II' explores themes of mental health, sexuality, race and more drawing from my personal experiences, the Niijournal team and contributors. The visual metaphor of the bodies pressed against the perspex symbolises the internal struggle one can face for a number of reasons, from one’s mental state to gender, it can be a very isolating and scary topic. This video was created in response to such things, to create a space where we can discuss, listen and learn.
When creating my work, be it photography, filming or casting, I like to take a personal approach. I'm someone who can't create work that I'm truly proud of if it doesn't directly relate to me in some way. I find one’s own life is a great source for pushing and creating ideas.
Over the past year I have struggled with coming to terms with my own mental health. It's a cliche but my artwork has always been a form of therapy / escape. From my early teens (GCSE art in particular), I would explore themes such as identity and what it meant to be 'me'. As I've matured and progressed with my work I believe I've found a healthy and meaningful way to creating new projects based around areas in my life that I don't feel that adequate to attack on my own."
Joy Miessi, "Curled Out Issues Of Your Own"
“My work is a representation of me and is often revealing of my thoughts, anxieties and personal life. Through honesty in my work I’ve found that many who view it have been able to relate to the feelings and troubles I convey and I hope it shows that speaking out about our truths can help bring awareness to others. I made the piece 'Curled Out Issues Of Your Own' on the subject of mental health from the perspective of a black woman. The long-standing effect of racism and sexism has impacted how I carry myself, what I think of myself and my overall mental health, which is something that I feel is very rarely discussed. Through this piece and being open about mental health, I’d hope that it creates further awareness and discussion.”
Suzannah Pettigrew, "I.C.U"
“'I.C.U' is a video piece made from MRI scans of my brain. I had experienced a few days of blacking out, and aura vision where I couldn’t walk without feeling as if I was going to fall over. I was referred to a neurologist who arranged the MRI. After the results came back as ‘all clear’ he suggested that I begin Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as he thought the symptoms were due to my ongoing struggle with anxiety, which had been particularly crippling around that time. The video work marks this time period and the beginning of self-reflection and therapy which started the process of reshaping my thinking.”
Margot Bowman, "Sommer Of Hate"
“'Sommer Of Hate' is an animated sci-fi film centred around Summer and her dog Ego that explores how macro-political events affect mental health and the impact that has on our sex and personal lives. The pair leave their home country after an unsettling political shift takes place and they no longer feel welcome. Commissioned as part of 2017 Random Acts, the piece will screen on UK TV this summer.”
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