At the end of last year, I wrote a post featuring some of the work I had produced during 2019.
I was trying to map my mental health and how that might correlate with the type of art I was producing. (You can see it here – Adieu 2019.)
I was hoping to follow that on this year to see if the art I am producing now is any different due to my much improved mental health.
To be honest, it’s a bit difficult to tell just from this post alone as it only represents a fraction of a whole series of artworks I have produced since the beginning of the year, primarily during lockdown. (See also previous post, ‘Reflections on Lockdown’ here.)
I am planning three further ‘Reflections on Lockdown’ posts, which will then give a clearer picture as to the correlation between art and my mental health.
I guess the reason for all this preamble is that if we just looked at this post in isolation, you would be forgiven for thinking that my mental health has not improved at all! As a lot of this work has its roots in a style I developed over the past couple of years when I wasn’t very well mentally.
I have stuck with it, and developed it, not because I am unhappy, but because I like it! I find it very expressive.
Like I say, we can have a look at the bigger picture once I’ve posted everything I’ve been working on this year.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this instalment of ‘Reflections of Lockdown’.
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If you, or someone you know, are experiencing mental health issues, call your GP or self refer to your local mental health team, (usually based at your local hospital).
If things are a bit more urgent than that you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. Or call the NHS on 111, they will treat your illness as seriously as they do any other.
David Milligan-Croft
I like all of these, the sense of pattern combined with the facial expressions (or their blankness, in some cases). And the vibrant colors and the intensity of all the images. I think you are on a good path here. It seems the past rocky times also opened a door to something in you that is expressive and flowing (don’t know a better word for it); a wellspring of creativity that could grow beyond the immediate circumstances in which you found it.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Claudia. I think the pared-down features are down to me wanting to simplify the face to its bare minimum. That, and my background in graphic design. The use of bright, cheerful colours is to juxtapose the quite unsettling images/expressions. The blank eyes, I think are my way of showing that these people have seen too many horrors or disturbing things rather than not seen any because they have no eyes. If that makes sense. Thanks again for your words of encouragement, they are very much appreciated.
Creative simplification reveals complex feelings. Well done!
Thanks Prof! 🙂