This Mental Illness Art Imagines the Sickness as Monsters
Vasiliki Marapas — September 25, 2013 — Social Good
References: io9 & visualnews
Toby Allen has created a set of illustrations entitled ‘The Real Monsters’ that addresses the issues and stigma related to mental illness via art. In his drawings, Allen imagines various mental debilitations as supernatural entities or ‘monsters.’ Allen’s aim with this project is to raise awareness about mental illness and to make it more accessible. Allen explains, “The artwork is not at all intended to make light of these conditions but instead is intended to give these intangible illnesses some substance and make them appear more beatable as physical entities.”
Allen has illustrated the Schizophrenia Monster, Anxiety Monster, Depression Monster and Borderline Personality Disorder Monster, among others. Each drawing is accompanied by a written description that tried to capture the heart of the illness. For example, the Depression Monster drawing states, “the depression monster floats around endlessly, always covering its eyes to hide itself from the outside world.”
Allen has illustrated the Schizophrenia Monster, Anxiety Monster, Depression Monster and Borderline Personality Disorder Monster, among others. Each drawing is accompanied by a written description that tried to capture the heart of the illness. For example, the Depression Monster drawing states, “the depression monster floats around endlessly, always covering its eyes to hide itself from the outside world.”
Trend Themes
1. Mental Illness Art - Using art to address and destigmatize mental illness by personifying it as monsters.
2. Awareness Campaigns - Creating visual representations to raise awareness about mental illness and make it more accessible.
3. Humanizing Mental Health - Giving intangible illnesses substance and portraying them as beatable physical entities through illustrations.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Opportunity for artists to use their creativity to address social issues, like mental health, through illustrations and visual storytelling.
2. Mental Health Services - Potential for mental health organizations to collaborate with artists and utilize art as a tool for destigmatization and raising awareness.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Opportunity for brands and campaigns to join the conversation around mental health by supporting and promoting awareness campaigns through art and visual content.
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