Fire+Words: The Geography of Depression

The topics of violence, feminism and depression are discussed as they all have an integral part in the artists practice as an abstract painter. A portfolio of my art practice has been included to exemplify and to support the idea that fragmentation is both a result and a consequence of living in a world that is no longer solid but liquid, as per the thoughts of sociologist Zigmund Bauman. Some key points of Gestalt psychotherapy are used to describe and explain the experience of depression in conjunction with the creative practice of feminist collage work, abstract painting and other creative practices such as poetry. Some causes of depression are discussed using the landscape of the art world to a womans inner and outer worlds experience. Ultimately, the thesis invites us to choose to engage mental health issues not by using the subtle code of discretion of Slavoj iek, that is language and alienation but by re-inhabiting the geography of our existence, re-sensitizing the body with the presence of the other person and with great anticipation.