currentMood collaborates with 5 young Indian artists to create exclusive artwork to raise awareness about mental health.
Art allows its viewers to understand what words cannot express. Exploring mental illness through art can be transformative – which is why currentMood asked 5 mixed media artists to explore this subject via their art. Their creations offer a glimpse of what it’s like to live with this invisible illness, raise awareness and hopefully break down the stigma that surrounds it.
Arunima Chauhan
Age: 22
College: NIFT Mumbai
Profession: Fashion designer at Endemage, Oman.
About the artwork: One tends to get comfortably numb in their state of misery. It consumes you and before you know it, you’ve learnt to say Fuck it – cause there’s no other solution. Through my art, I want you to know that you are not what depression and anxiety makes do.
Instagram: @preteribo
Danish Shaikh
Age: 23
College: Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Applied Arts and Crafts, Pune
Occupation: Freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer
About the artwork: It’s called ‘Sab Theek Hain’. The idea is to show that in today’s world of technology and social media, people hide their depression by using phrases like “I’m Fine” or “Sab Theek Hain.” While a post on social media projects a life of happiness and free from worry, the reality of depression is suffered alone and in silence.
Instagram: @doodlewaala
Aneesha Naik
Age: 24 years
College: Rachana Sansad and Mod’Art International, Mumbai
Profession: Teacher
About the artwork: This artwork reminds me of a phase I went through, it’s like a self portrait. Stress, anxiety and depression has the ability to get to you, making you see the worst version of yourself.
Instagram: @kalpanik_streee
Jagrati Mahaver
Age: 23
College: NIFT Hyderabad
Profession: Freelancer
About the artwork: It’s about how technology allows us to express ourselves while it dehumanises us as well.
Instagram: @jag_rati
Rohan Hande
Age: 28
College: Arts University Bournemouth, Dorset
Profession: Photographer, collage artist
About the artwork: ‘We are,’ documents and opens a forum to discuss self-identity. How confident one is with their own image? Does it alter depending on the circumstances? Or do we do it voluntarily?
Instagram: @rohande
Compiled by: currentMood