Suzanne Joelle of Morro Bay says her photo ‘Carnival Slide’ spurred her passion for photography.
The artists who are showing their work for “Opening Minds” share something in common with comedian Jonathan Winters, media mogul Ted Turner and news anchor Jane Pauley.
All have some sort of mental illness.
“There’s going to be the whole range of diagnoses among the artists,” said Hannah Brown, who is coordinating the event for Transitions- Mental Health Association. Most of the artists have bipolar disorder, major depression or schizophrenia, she said.
Brown admires their bravery in putting their artwork up for public scrutiny. Many mentally ill people are isolated, she said, noting that for most of them, “the world’s a very scary place.”
More than 100 artworks
The exhibit at the San Luis Obispo Art Center features more than 100 works by 78 local artists, selected from 152 submissions.
Featured artist Suzanne Joelle said she was nervous about entering her work, because she has only been taking photos for two years. One photograph that Joelle entered, taken at a carnival, spurred her new passion.
“I was just like a magnet to these bright colors,” she recalled. She rushed to a dollar store, bought a camera and snapped the shot.
Although the Morro Bay resident taught early education, which included art, for more than 20 years, she had no outlet for her own self-expression. But Joelle put the
lessons she gleaned from her students into her photographs.
“I was trying to see things with childlike eyes,” she said. She focuses on small details that others may not notice, and responds to colors and textures and rhythms with no rules involved.
“Photography for me is therapeutic,” Joelle said, “It’s like a friend.” She believes her depression benefits her creative pursuits. “You’re looking for joy; you’re capturing joy.”
An outlet for creativity
Along with photography, pen-and-ink drawings and watercolors, work in the exhibit by other artists includes a “timeout” chair and clock, a sunflower constructed of found metal pieces and a bed sheet that a young artist painted with graffiti. Many works were submitted
Above, ‘Easter Lillies’ is a watercolor by Michael J. Slater.
At left, ‘Floral’ is a pen-and-ink drawing by artist Vuong.
The show evolved to become a method of assuaging the public’s fears or nervousness about mentally ill people, she said. “Stigma is one of the most difficult parts of mental illness.”
Through the exhibit, the public will see that the mentally ill can also be talented, smart and interesting, she pointed out.
After all, they are in good company—Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale and Ludwig van Beethoven, despite possible mental illness including severe depression, made an impression on the world through leadership, good deeds and creativity.
Reach freelance writer Lee Sutter at sutterlee@hotmail.com .
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