This Bipolar Photo Series is Candid and Alluring
Farida Helmy — July 15, 2014 — Art & Design
References: straylightpress & featureshoot
Having suffered through mental illness personally, photographer Christina Riley decided to do something about the stigma that surrounds it by working on this mental illness photography series. Unfortunately, the taboo of mental illness is still alive and kicking, which makes it difficult for those dealing with it to speak up, so they end up suffering in silence.
For Riley, she felt that her words were not strong enough and would not correctly portray the searing emotions she felt—which is why she decided to capture it on film for her mental illness photography series.
“Since I was in another world – so removed from reality, it’s difficult to explain what exactly led me to pick up the camera each time. But I think the feelings and delusions would build up to a point where I couldn’t feel them any more intensely and I just had to photograph it,” says Riley about her ‘Back to Me’ series.
For Riley, she felt that her words were not strong enough and would not correctly portray the searing emotions she felt—which is why she decided to capture it on film for her mental illness photography series.
“Since I was in another world – so removed from reality, it’s difficult to explain what exactly led me to pick up the camera each time. But I think the feelings and delusions would build up to a point where I couldn’t feel them any more intensely and I just had to photograph it,” says Riley about her ‘Back to Me’ series.
Trend Themes
1. Mental Illness Advocacy - The photography series highlights the need for better mental illness advocacy programs and services.
2. Therapeutic Photography - The mental illness photography series demonstrates the potential for therapeutic photography as a supportive tool for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
3. Visual Storytelling - The series serves as an example of the power of visual storytelling in raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental illness.
Industry Implications
1. Mental Health Services - The mental illness photography series creates an opportunity for mental health services to incorporate therapeutic photography into their treatment programs.
2. Art Therapy - The series presents an opportunity for art therapy professionals to leverage photography as a means of expression and healing for individuals with mental health challenges.
3. Advocacy Groups - The photographs provide advocacy groups with an opportunity to use visual storytelling to raise awareness and destigmatize mental illness.
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