Artist Statement
In 2021, the percentage of adults in the U.S. between 18-29 years of age with symptoms of mental health disorders increased from 36% to 42%. As one of the many unreported cases, I’ve come to learn over the years that the percentage will always be on the low end, especially with young Black men being a factor. During my lowest times in the past few years, there has consistently been one coping technique that shows immediate results, at least for me. Guided meditation and truly focusing on my breathing became my answer for any mental health obstacles that I have and continue to face.
This project is for both individuals who are conscious and those who are unconscious of any mental health disorder they may have. Although I can’t guarantee that this will do the same for others, my goal is simply to provide it to an audience that generally does not get the necessary help. Titled “Serenity In View”, this series consists of 10 digital images and a 4-minute audio piece to follow along with. With no clear representation of any one place in particular, I first created minimalist drawings through Adobe illustrator, but something was still missing. It didn’t feel believable until I was able to render painting textures to the images using photoshop, giving it more life. These 10 digital paintings serve as a starting point to separate our daily clutter of thoughts with the journey about to take place; something to focus on first when beginning the guided meditation. Largely inspired by the same meditations I’ve used in the past, the accompanied audio piece serves as a general guide to controlled breathing, reground yourself, and clear your mind. I provided this to be taken outside of the exhibition and applied to our daily lives. As long as you are able to breathe, you are able to gain peace and clarity of mind.
Thesis Abstract
This exhibition focuses on the increasing mental health obstacles in young adults and addresses it using one of many coping techniques. Guided meditation encourages self care, mental stability, and overall peace of mind. Though brief and general, the narration for this exhibition is designed to be applied to any circumstance or situation, allowing a variety of listeners and viewers to use it when needed in their everyday lives. This is achieved by concentrating on one’s breathing. By connecting this technique with something every living person on the planet does every single day, it becomes easier and more natural overcoming the mental obstacles we may face. The 10 digital paintings serve as a starting point to begin the journey of clearing your mind, re-centering oneself, and bringing a more focused and positive mindset to fruition. Using differing scenarios and environments that purposely do not depict any one place in particular, the freedom to alter at your mind’s will is not only available, but encouraged.