The Skin of the Image

Final Project from photography degree. Exhibited in Ulster University Degree show and "The Skin of the Image" solo exhibition, hosted at Arts For All. Part of "The Skin of the Image" photobook.

Artist Statement:

I am diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, including Psychosis. I use photography and writing as a form of therapy, as my work visualises Psychosis to give an insight to what I experience.

Hallucinations are an immersive experience which impacts my daily life. I have auditory, tactile and visual hallucinations. The long-exposure self-portraits show how I feel with this chaotic illness alongside the isolating still images. My writing is a combination of my thoughts and the voices that I hear. By channelling my struggles through photography, art and writing, it allows me to visually communicate with others to share my experiences and to allow myself to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is the first step into opening a conversation surrounding mental illness, to eliminate stigma and to use art as a non-verbal tool to express oneself.

I encourage others to show how you feel, to share with each other with confidence and strength. To not be afraid to be vulnerable, it is okay to not be okay.