A multi-media art installation that’s at the Timmins Museum until March 29th deals with a sensitive subject. The artist doesn’t know why mental health is still so sensitive in this day and age.
Sault Ste. Marie artist Christopher Shoust centres the exhibit around a replica of an 18th century tranquilizer chair. He says the exhibition looks at how we deal with mental health situations ande restraint polices in hospitals.
“I’ve been working in the theme of mental health with my artwork for about 12 years now,” he explains, “and that all started with my first experience where I was hospitalized.”
Shoust adds that he was never restrained, but saw patients who were put through what he calls “a very horrible experience”.
Because of the stigma surrounding mental health, Shoust says it never gets easier whenever he has an exhibition.
“We kind of,” he starts, sighing, “think it’s 2020 and we have a better understanding of mental health and how we should deal with it in the workplace and in schools and all this. The stigma doesn’t seem to — it hasn’t seemed to be changing.”
“Looking Forward/Back” is at the museum until March 29th. It’s funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
