HANDLE WITH CARE

Handle With Care

This conceptual project examines how society perceives and discusses art created by individuals with mental health conditions. Through a deliberately provocative museum exhibition design, I explore the harmful ways we often reduce artists to their diagnoses rather than celebrating their creative achievements.

‍The Museum: Based on the real Ovartaci Museum in Denmark, which houses approximately 9,000 works from artists associated with the Psychiatric Hospital in Risskov, including the renowned Ovartaci who created art for 56 years during his residency.

Research Findings: My literature review revealed surprising findings that fundamentally challenged assumptions about "mental health art." Most significantly, Lejsted & Nielsen's (2006) study of over 8,000 artworks by psychiatric patients found.

"No consistent characteristics in paintings or sculptures that would allow physicians to assign psychiatric diagnoses to artists."

This directly contradicts the belief that mental illness manifests predictably in art. Additionally, Rothenberg's (2006) research showed.

"Most significant creative work occurs during periods of mental stability, not during acute illness."

The Two-Sided Book Concept: A single publication that can be read from either direction—one side presents the collection with dignity and respect, focusing on artistic merit and creative vision. Flip the book over, and the other side demonstrates problematic approaches that reduce the artists to stereotypes and symptoms. This dual format forces readers to physically experience both perspectives, making the contrast between respectful and harmful discourse impossible to ignore.

Focus: Social Commentary, Mental Health Stigma, Art Perception
Medium: Print Design, Exhibition Materials

This project aims to spark conversation about how we view and value art created by marginalized communities.