Self Portrait “Black Dog”
Graphite, Charcoal and Collage
Framed Dimensions H: 94 W:64 D:4
Promoting the ability and necessity for individuals and society to embrace openness and honesty about their emotions and struggles.
Black Dog is my latest artwork inspired by personal battles with depression and my experience of people not knowing how to behave around those who suffer. We are brought up in a society where it is seen as weak to show negative emotions. As a result of this attitude many mental health issues arise.
As the artist, I wanted this self portrait to be a challenge to myself, showing me at my most vulnerable. This seems instinctively wrong for me to do, as if I am showing myself naked to my viewers, but this is exactly why I took on this project. This feeling should not be held by us. We need to learn to feel comfortable showing our true emotions.