MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Identity
With everything that ’ s going on in the world , it ’ s easy to understand that mental health has come into focus . Anxiety , fear , depression from income loss , isolation and the pure fear of COVID are just some of the components that affect everyone ’ s mental health differently . New hobbies all over the world are being explored , diversions from the worries of COVIDs devastation . I found art to be one of those distractions . This is my first attempt at telling my story through artwork , well more precisely , Aboriginal artwork
To learn that the Brewarrina Fish traps was a meeting point of many tribes was profound . My days of venturing to the river with the family for fishing or swimming made that connection even more purposeful . Something about the river sparked respite in my chaotic and muddled thoughts .
Oh , and the sunsets I ’ ve seen down there . Some may claim sunsets are trite , not me . It ’ s as if I have pressed pause on my day . The river and the sunset becomes a grand , positive moment in my life in contrast to an otherwise stressful existence . Anxieties fade , and my spirit ; lifted . That ephemeral moment of beauty has so much power . I wonder at the richly saturated colours spreading across the sky as twilight casts shadows over the colour of the river below .
How could I yell out and tell everyone what I experienced without sounding like a love-struck bard ? Painting . Hence , my first piece . ‘ Identity .’
An acrylic on canvas piece , it tells the story of my connection to the skies and sunsets the moment they meet the river . The story of how I came to understand the histories of the fish traps and how we continue congregate on this beautiful river ; are symbolised on the land .
When in solitude with my deleterious thoughts , I grab my acrylics and distract myself for a moment . It helps me reflect on the positive moments I have lived , in divergence to what ’ s bothering me at that particular moment . This is my escape ; Painting can be therapeutic because it allows my mind to focus on the images at hand and on nothing else . Since the focus is on the process and not the final product , my journey with art was not about creating the next big masterpiece ; but more about the way it distracted me .
It is very important to remember that you don ’ t have to be a talented artist in order to try art , or anything creative for that matter . Human beings are innately creative , and all you need to be is honest with yourself and your emotions . Once you decide to start being creative – in any form , dancing , moulding , drawing , your inner artist will quickly wake up . During the process of creation , you will be taking yourself on a journey of self-discovery that will help you eliminate emotional roadblocks , and learn how to communicate with yourself and others .
- Deiann Kennedy
PAGE 14 BREWARRINA NEWS