(Right: Lindokuhle Sobekwa,
Self portrait, 2018)
CHAPTER 2: Empathy
& Hope Project is a travelling exhibition in different media, which looks at people
struggling with their emotional and mental health, opening at the Durban Art
Gallery on March 12 where it runs until May 3, 2020.
CHAPTER 2: Empathy
& Hope Project is a companion to an exhibition staged by DAG last year looking at
similar issues. The exhibition hosted by the Durban Art Gallery is presented in
collaboration with the Global Mental Health Peer Network.
“The exhibition was born from my own experiences of people struggling
with their emotional and mental health. I’ve seen the devastation of hopelessness
in the eyes of loved ones, friends and strangers and the inhumanity caused by
the lack of empathy towards those struggling with mental illness every day,”
explains project originator, global mental health advocate and social impact
entrepreneur, Chantelle Booysen.
“The selection of works were all chosen as part of the triangle of
elements that impacts on the health of our minds: from the inside looking out;
from the outside looking in; and when the outside seeps in. This triangle is
significant is as represents each body of work as a piece of the complex map of
factors that relates to the social determinants in our every-day environments.
(Left: Thabiso Sekgala.
Photo by Kalpesh Lathigra)
“From the inside looking out:
The body of work called Paradise, by
the late Thabiso Sekgala, depicts a severe and sincere sense of loneliness of
space, structures and a void of human connection.
“From the outside looking in:
The body of work called Nyope, by
Lindokuhle Sobekwa captures the rawness of drug abuse in the community where he
grew up in.
“When the outside seeps in:
refers to a participatory photographic exercise with young students from a
Refugee Centre in the Durban area to get young people to think of their
physical environment and it can influence the health of their minds. Exhibits
include a series of photographs taken by Obakeng Molepe for the Denis Hurley
Centre of homeless people last year in his Homeless 101 project.
“Empathy for all: is an
audio-visual installation shot by photographer Robin Hammond which is focused
on a collection of stories which is related to the devastating loss of 150
people that was removed from a government psychiatric hospitals due to neglect
and disregard for human life. The installation covers the stories of victims of
families and survivors.
“My hope is that this exhibition creates more visual conversation on
mental health and mental illness as subjects to be depicted in a humane, empathetic
way. This can be one such space, one where everyone can share openly. Creating
hope for the hopeless and empathy towards people living with mental illness –
that is, fundamentally, what this project is about. As a mental health
activist, my work with both local and international organisations informed many
of the themes in this exhibition. But it is my personal experience with mental
illness that drives me to keep this conversation alive and to create platforms
for others to thrive,” concluded Booysen.
Additionally, on Wednesday, March 18 at 12h30 there will be a public
seminar with four panelists and a facilitator, in the same space, to explore
these themes further and engage in in-depth conversations about mental health
and well-being in our communities. Groups are most welcome to use this
exhibition as a visual tool for debate around issues of mental and emotional
health– special educational guided walkabouts can be arranged on request. Please
contact empathyhopeproject@gmail.com for any queries.
CHAPTER 2: Empathy
& Hope Project opens on Thursday, March 12 at 18h00 at the Durban Art Gallery on Smith
Street, 2nd Floor, City Hall in Durban City Centre.
For further details contact Jenny Stretton on 031 311 2264/031 332 7286.
Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday 08h30 to 16h00, Sundays 11h00 to 16h00.
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