“Restricted”

2020

Acrylic on canvas

2 meters x 2 meters

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My artwork is based on my personal struggles with mental health, in particular my experience with anxiety disorders over the past decade. I explore the ways that I can raise awareness of ‘invisible’ mental illnesses through my artwork.

 

A restricted colour palette of black, white and red is simple yet symbolic of the emotions and traits associated with anxiety – such as fear, anger, innocence and danger. I thought about how an anxious mind cannot be controlled and therefore my paintings should not be restricted by the surface it is painted upon. After planning, layering and painting each canvas to connect with one another and piece together like a puzzle, I painted the wall they were hung upon and linked various lines together. The end result appeared as one large installation – chaotic, claustrophobic and out of control to capture the anxious mind.