Mania

About “Mania”, by Rachel A. (@theartsymed):

“Mania” was a turning point in my work, as I made choices based on small color deviations and experimented with the abstract and the physical. I aim to bring awareness to mental health with this piece by combining my love for art and medicine/science. This piece can have different meanings for all, but for me personally, I created this piece while reaching out for help with my mental health for the first time. I realized that finding my place in art and medicine could be combined, while also helping me with my own mental health support and treatment experience. It tells a story of struggle, feeling like I could never get better, and relentless pain. But I am grateful that this story of mine is now also one where I can share that things don’t have to “stay forever” like what I believed when I made this piece. This is shown by the DNA being intertwined with the body in the box. Things can and will get better. I was able to find my balance through therapy, medication, and support. I am now in a place where I feel more like myself than ever, which I am so grateful for.

This piece was featured in the Rhodes College's Clough-Hanson Gallery throughout the 2019 to 2020 school year. While I created this piece before the COVID-19 pandemic, I always came back to it during the height of the pandemic as it helped shape my later works and showed me just how important mental healthcare truly is. If mental health is something you struggle with, please feel free to reach out to me @theartsymed.