Emily Lewis
Artist
Recently I have been researching and producing work based on the subject of depression and other similar illnesses.
Depression affects 1 in 5 people, although this is a commune illness it is very misrepresented. I have been exploring and creating work about my own personal opinions of the illness as well as looking perceptions and how people get lost with in the world of mental health.
This work has mainly been instillation based however the start of my work consists of drawings to get my ideas flowing as well as looking at related artists that inspire me such as Louise Bourgeois, Tracy Emin, Goya and van Gogh. Each of these has suffered from mental illness at some point in their lives.
Statment
I work with installation and sculpture. My preferred method to work is using my hands and getting personal with the material, this is also the way I immerse myself in to my subject as I create work biased around the issue of self.
I find that working with this subject matter I am more engrossed in my art. Art is a way for me to communicate my opinions and confront others perceptions with issues and stereotypes.
When the work that I have created can give an insight to a new way of thinking about the subject at hand, even if it's just a slight change in though my work has been successful. I enjoy making work that you can engage with, get lost with in the piece or even create a feeling that the viewer becomes unnerved. This is a very powerful way of working.
