An Open Book

Sophie Flanigan

Year 12

School: Mount Lawley Senior High School

Medium: Mixed media on paper (collage, spray paint, acrylic paint and charcoal)

Artist statement: ‘An Open Book’ is a collection of portraits following six different teenagers. The collection explores the idea of mental health in youth of today. I wanted to show the harsh and raw reality of teenagers’ experiences. Each of the subjects in the collection has been diagnosed or is suffering with a mental illness or a learning difficulty, including anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, PTSD and dyslexia. ‘ An Open Book’ is the first instalment of the series. I used palette knives to create expressive backgrounds, and a variety of media to create a crowded, swirling, agitated motion to represent the emotions and struggles of each character.