Half a Glass
Words and phrases reflecting a range of emotions and how we roll in and out of them. Maybe our inner critic has a chat gets us stick in a space with a poor narrative, or perhaps we our inner cheerleader pipes up for encouragement.
These words are collected from friends who have experienced various depression or anxiety, friends who work in the social sector helping people who experience mental health issues on a daily basis and online sources offering advice on how to live with depression. I wove their words with my own internal dialogues resulting in a true collaboration. My friends were very honest with their words, sharing personal journeys, rather than the professional story I was expecting. I'm grateful for their trust and honesty. We covered the real things we say when in a low mood and what might help us come out of those low zones.
To make this piece, I loosely mapped out placement then painted as I went, feeling the words, styling and arranging them to suit how I felt in the moment. An unusual process for me, as I tend to re-draw and re-paint until I’m happy with the result.
The words are configured in both an intentional and unintentional way. We can all read things differently, it’s up to the viewer to put the words together. The top and bottom of this piece are the extreme zones. I found the under drawing the most difficult to work on as the words had far more impact than anticipated. As I painted, I decided it is ok to be anywhere in these 'zones', with whatever thought pattern is in process. To give myself permission, allow space, time, friendship with all the thought patterns, be in nature, challenge the thought patterns - whatever helps create internal acceptance.
The real reward has lain in observing people reading and viewing this piece of art. From afar it is hard to make out the words, the viewer needs to work to read what’s in the black dog zone. I’ve marvelled at the different experiences and connections people have had with this artwork. My intention is to provide a connection point, promote and normalise discussion of mental health, even when things can be isolating, we share a common humanity and similar thoughts.
DIMENSIONS: 1,000mm x 1,000mm (wxh), 36mm deep
MATERIAL DETAIL: Acrylic on thick ply, wooden backing frame, sealed with matt water-based polyurethane, ready to hang on a wall.
Words and phrases reflecting a range of emotions and how we roll in and out of them. Maybe our inner critic has a chat gets us stick in a space with a poor narrative, or perhaps we our inner cheerleader pipes up for encouragement.
These words are collected from friends who have experienced various depression or anxiety, friends who work in the social sector helping people who experience mental health issues on a daily basis and online sources offering advice on how to live with depression. I wove their words with my own internal dialogues resulting in a true collaboration. My friends were very honest with their words, sharing personal journeys, rather than the professional story I was expecting. I'm grateful for their trust and honesty. We covered the real things we say when in a low mood and what might help us come out of those low zones.
To make this piece, I loosely mapped out placement then painted as I went, feeling the words, styling and arranging them to suit how I felt in the moment. An unusual process for me, as I tend to re-draw and re-paint until I’m happy with the result.
The words are configured in both an intentional and unintentional way. We can all read things differently, it’s up to the viewer to put the words together. The top and bottom of this piece are the extreme zones. I found the under drawing the most difficult to work on as the words had far more impact than anticipated. As I painted, I decided it is ok to be anywhere in these 'zones', with whatever thought pattern is in process. To give myself permission, allow space, time, friendship with all the thought patterns, be in nature, challenge the thought patterns - whatever helps create internal acceptance.
The real reward has lain in observing people reading and viewing this piece of art. From afar it is hard to make out the words, the viewer needs to work to read what’s in the black dog zone. I’ve marvelled at the different experiences and connections people have had with this artwork. My intention is to provide a connection point, promote and normalise discussion of mental health, even when things can be isolating, we share a common humanity and similar thoughts.
DIMENSIONS: 1,000mm x 1,000mm (wxh), 36mm deep
MATERIAL DETAIL: Acrylic on thick ply, wooden backing frame, sealed with matt water-based polyurethane, ready to hang on a wall.
Words and phrases reflecting a range of emotions and how we roll in and out of them. Maybe our inner critic has a chat gets us stick in a space with a poor narrative, or perhaps we our inner cheerleader pipes up for encouragement.
These words are collected from friends who have experienced various depression or anxiety, friends who work in the social sector helping people who experience mental health issues on a daily basis and online sources offering advice on how to live with depression. I wove their words with my own internal dialogues resulting in a true collaboration. My friends were very honest with their words, sharing personal journeys, rather than the professional story I was expecting. I'm grateful for their trust and honesty. We covered the real things we say when in a low mood and what might help us come out of those low zones.
To make this piece, I loosely mapped out placement then painted as I went, feeling the words, styling and arranging them to suit how I felt in the moment. An unusual process for me, as I tend to re-draw and re-paint until I’m happy with the result.
The words are configured in both an intentional and unintentional way. We can all read things differently, it’s up to the viewer to put the words together. The top and bottom of this piece are the extreme zones. I found the under drawing the most difficult to work on as the words had far more impact than anticipated. As I painted, I decided it is ok to be anywhere in these 'zones', with whatever thought pattern is in process. To give myself permission, allow space, time, friendship with all the thought patterns, be in nature, challenge the thought patterns - whatever helps create internal acceptance.
The real reward has lain in observing people reading and viewing this piece of art. From afar it is hard to make out the words, the viewer needs to work to read what’s in the black dog zone. I’ve marvelled at the different experiences and connections people have had with this artwork. My intention is to provide a connection point, promote and normalise discussion of mental health, even when things can be isolating, we share a common humanity and similar thoughts.
DIMENSIONS: 1,000mm x 1,000mm (wxh), 36mm deep
MATERIAL DETAIL: Acrylic on thick ply, wooden backing frame, sealed with matt water-based polyurethane, ready to hang on a wall.