Processing: A Self Portrait of Neurodivergence
photographs by Gabbi Santander
April 3rd - 14th 2020
RAMP Gallery
Artist Reception Friday April 3rd 6pm - 8pm
ARTIST STATEMENT
Processing: A Self Portrait of Neurodivergence is a photographic body of work about my experiences with neurodivergence, specifically expressed as mental illness. I personally have bipolar disorder, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and depersonalization disorder. I use my art as a coping mechanism for the very thing I am creating the art about, and also to directly relate to and challenge my audience.
I use both “neurodivergence” and “mental illness” to describe myself and my experiences; “mental illness” allows me to be more specific about my own perspective as neurodivergence encompasses a wide range of neurological variations. However, it is important to still keep mental illness framed within neurodivergence because it is less stigmatizing and creates space for me to celebrate the ways that my brain makes me unique, beautiful, and powerful, rather than just ill and broken.
My show represents a deep need to share parts of my life and let my audience know that they are not alone in their own experiences with neurodivergence. Through the use of self portraiture, I make my mental illness more humanized, making existing outside of the cognitive norm more relatable. Through digital manipulation of these images, I create visual representations of feelings that are often beyond words.
The stigma surrounding mental illness is crushing and pervasive, and my work will dispel some of the harmful misconceptions people harbor. Regardless of personal experience, we all can understand what is like to be in pain, to be out of control, to be overwhelmed, to be different. People will be able to see themselves in my story, and in utilizing my personal narrative I will change their perception of what it means to be neurodivergent.
IG: @gabbi.fotos
