Veterans
the images featuring hands stand out .
A PTSD survivor himself , Armstrong was motivated by personal experience . Each veteran subject in the exhibition has a story , and their stories are told , expressed , felt and heard through his use of a challenging and rewarding creative process with molasses as a metaphor . The works show both sides of lived experience - the dark emotions of challenging moments and the light feelings of healing , release and hope .
Subjects ’ own words are shared alongside artworks . One speaks of “ the feeling of being dragged down into the thick , welcoming abyss until you are choking and drowning . Being able to barely keep your head up enough to catch a breath .”
So , the choice of molasses is enormously successful . The resultant images almost force you to study them . They are at once poignant and haunting , dark and evocative , graphic and expressive . They will bring strong memories or feelings to the minds of people who have family or friends who have suffered the effects of PTSD . They will remind others of different , yet also traumatic , experiences .
Indeed , the created artworks have resonated with veterans deeply . When posted on Armstrong ’ s social media they reached a broad audience , creating high levels of engagement and many conversations . This sparked the need to create widespread awareness - and the project was born .
The exhibition will tour Australia raising awareness of the individual experiences of veterans living with PTSD , and veteran art-based workshops will support the creation and growth of healthy communities . Community events will be offered during the Canberra exhibition , including trauma-informed movement classes with health practitioners and veteran art workshops with Armstrong .
As a member of the Canberra Critics Circle , I nominated the artist for one of their 2022 Awards , and was delighted when the nomination was approved by the full Circle and Mike received the Award .
- Brian Rope
St Margaret ’ s News 3 December 2022