My Names Gabraella, I’m 21years old and currently participating in the Silver Arts Award Programme.
My chosen art form is Photography; I feel the world can be viewed in a very different light through the eyes of a camera lens.
I have studied performing arts for several years and have completed a years’ education at The University of Winchester studying Contemporary Performance and Drama Studies, where I gained a professional Theatre credit playing the role of Regan in a modern, physical theatre styled retelling of Shakespeare’s Iconic ‘King Lear’, as part of Winchester’s Shakespeare Festival 2011. I graduate from the Uni in November, with a Certificate of Higher education with Merit. Since returning to my hometown I needed something creative to sink my teeth in to. That’s when the Arts Award came along.
My Bronze award challenged me, and now with my Silver i have the opportunity to challenge myself.
The Arts culture has always been a fundamental part of my life; it has contributed to who I am today and what I believe as a person morally and ethically. The Arts Award is a fantastic opportunity to take that leap and discover more about myself as an artist and as an individual.
- After completing my Bronze award I started to think about things that are important to me and the people around me. I am a ‘Young Carer’ for a family member, who has significant mental health difficulties. Furthermore, My late Father had a diagnosis of Bi-polar disorder, I also have several friends with diagnosed Mental Health conditions. Even now with equality and discrimination acts, Stigma still exists! According to ‘The Stigma shout Survey’ findings carried out by a Mental Health Campaign called “Time for Change” state; ‘It was apparent that ‘almost 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems (87%) reported the negative impact of stigma and discrimination in their lives’
The negative mind-sets people have towards those with mental health problems, leaves those in genuine suffering feeling very isolated and excluded from society. Their physical health declines and they are often reluctant to seek help because of the anxiety associated with those who -just simply don’t understand. Sometimes, experiencing negative feelings or comments towards their mental health and wellbeing can be a bigger problem for them than actually living with their condition(s)..
Thinking further about the effects of stigma; and the constant fight against it. I have decided to use my chosen art form (photography) to try and conquer people’s fear revolving around the subject. In particular, I have chosen to focus on adolescent mental health, which is where my main interest in the subject lye’s.
- Collaborate with mental health groups/ organizations to aid with research exploration and to recruit models for my artwork.
- Exhibit a collection of photographs to illustrate the effects of Mental health on young people.
- To display material published and created by ‘Time for change’ alongside my exhibition, as a means of informing people: about the subject , the fight against stigma and why people care… ultimately in the hope that they will respect and celebrate differences, take that leap and stand up for mental health rights
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~ Help me, Help others to reduce the stigma!! ~
Fragile Eyes 