The Asylum
Celene C.
Canvases, clay, empty pill bottles, string, yarn, popsicle sticks, acrylic paint, gloss varnish
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In the past, mentally ill individuals were confined in insane asylums. Today, many still view mental illness as an indication of weakness, casting aside the mentally ill into a box, a metaphorical asylum. I see this as a reflection of past attitudes and ideas, a pest that we are unable to eradicate. To visualize the struggles the mentally ill have faced, I created a cage-like structure with popsicle sticks to represent “the asylum” and sculpted two anguished clay figures within it. These trapped souls are surrounded by a field of pills and hanging pill bottles, symbolizing the societal pressures silently placed upon individuals to stop being “abnormal.” Through this creative process, I felt a sense of freedom and empowerment as I expressed a vulnerable part of myself. I hope my art can bring light to issues surrounding mental illness and give strength to those who struggle with it.
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Creativity is a means for me to provoke emotion and feelings in others through the creation of beauty with meaning. Creating allows me to express my opinions and ideas without bounds, freeing me from society’s constraints and providing a sense of fulfillment.
