Meet Fred, Faces of Depression

My life took a turn when in 2017 my house was set on fire. I fell into a severe depression and struggle with it to this day.

Suffering from depression is like being in prison. One is locked into an endless downward spiral. Even when amongst people, the feeling of isolation is almost overwhelming. All the anger is directed inwards and starts eating you up from inside. I admitted myself to a mental institution where I started to paint.

Since I figured out, that my depression was not going to go away, I decided to give it a face. And another one. And another one. I call the faces Fred, because it seems like an innocent enough name. I put these faces up on the wall and look at them until they become like old friends and lose their power over me.

At the exhibition in Rome, I tried to address as many senses as possible by using music, lighting, and scent to make visitors really feel the distress.