I have both mood and personality disorders, and my struggles in discovering this, having a breakdown and learning to cope and adapt to these things lead me to my artwork. I looked at the concept of psychiatric inkblots and wondered on a way to push this further. I like the concept of each inkblot having it’s own meaning to the viewer and wanted to merge that into my own artwork. I saw the potential to communicate with an audience and begin to show everyone that they were capable of looking at artwork on a deeper level. I saw a duty in this aspect that I could encourage interaction with the public and artwork.

The process of my art is inextricably part of the work, and, my sacrifice of part of myself to it. The method I use to print the work follows the same principle of a relief or intaglio print. Using lithographic ink the object is inked up using printmaking rollers and tools, and fabric (like paper for a print) is placed over it and pressure is applied before the sheet is removed. This process is hard work but it is also caring.
Wrapping fabric around the object is like putting swaddling around a child – it is an act of love, while at the same time removing the purpose of the object. It is this oxymoron of giving and taking at the same time that I find sum up my mental health. It is like the warring sides of my disorder that clash against each-other: living versus dying: one personality versus the other. The process goes even deeper for me here. I find having two personalities is like being torn. In a way a hope I am the object, I hope that I am the side with substance, and when I take that flat print off the object I want that to be the other person that resides in me. I guess I want to know for sure that I am the one who is real. Perhaps the work itself is now a question. But tragically an inkblot has no right answer. But thankfully an inkblot has no wrong answer.

I am removed partially from the final piece as it is no longer just my work. Now it is open to interpretation, now the viewer makes it anything they see it to be and are an equal collaborator in the work. Their interpretation makes them the artist.