mental health workshops

Living in Quebec City from 2004-2007, I collaborated with Folie-Culture, a not-for-profit arts organisation, focused on bringing public sensitivity and awareness to the issues surrounding mental health.

Workshops were run over a period of 12 weeks, with participants exploring the process of using clothing deconstruction as a practical, emotional metaphor for self-reflection and change.

Working one-on-one and in collaboration with a local op-shop, each participant was given a generic garment or outfit as a starting point. By unraveling the uniformity and strict conformity of these garments, participants then learnt how to drape, collage and reconfigure them into sculptured forms of individual, non-conformist, wearable, art.

These were incredibly rewarding workshops, with beautiful interactions and profound outcomes – tangible and intangible. Each workshop culminated in a public exhibition and opening-night party, with great community support and exposure.

Images below showing Before – During – After process of participants’ work.