PRC TV & Durban Art Gallery Present Art in Mental Health: The Empathy and Hope Project
PRC TV & Durban Art Gallery present Art in Mental Health: The Empathy and Hope Project facilitated by Ukhozi FM's Nongcebo McKenzi e
About Art in Mental Health: The Empathy and Hope Project
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.’
The Project Objectives
The Empathy & Hope exhibition aimed to explore the harmful factors that impacts to our health and our minds, and to create an awareness of mental health using art. With a local regional focus, the exhibition highlighted the impact of the social determinants, the environment, on the health of our minds.
The exhibition gave an opportunity for visual discussions, in a public spaces, informed by local voices.
Problem Statement
Thabiso Micheal Sekgala (1981 – 2014)
Sekgala was a photographer based in Joburg. His work explores themes of abandonment, memory, spatial politics
and the concept of home. He had an innate sensitivity towards the complexity of human experience.
He took is own life in 2014
There is the idea that art making is a sign of positive mental health. Art makes us well.
On the other hand there is the idea that art making might not be a sign of mental health at all. Artists, according to one recent international study, are now considered to be 25% more likely to carry genes for mental illness. And artists can become dependent on the anti-social practice of art making as a substitute for socialised behaviour and mental health. Art making can, in fact, become a dangerous surrogate and addiction, one that can lead to burn-out and suicidal ideation.
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