The View of Emotions: “Defeated” - Deandra Lee
Defeated, edited photography, Deandra Lee, 2019
Within the month of May, the awareness of mental health and its importance is commemorated. As countless individuals experience mental health struggles in differing ways, artistic expression allows individuals’ mental health to transcend through visual representations and support other individuals who may be experiencing similar tribulations. This capacity art has to communicate the inner universe of its creator allows to be a grand vessel for communicating mental states. Therefore, in order to commemorate May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Vissa Journal would like to spotlight an artist whose work represents this capacity to demonstrate the internal battle and complex relationships mental struggles may ensue.
May Artist Spotlight: Deandra Lee
Deandra Lee’ self portrait photography aims to display the complexity of emotions and mental states through her use of natural imagery to convey internal symbolism. By being the subject within her work, Lee allows her work to present itself within the realm of surrealism as she additionally combines natural and inanimate elements in an unrealistic manner to convey inner complexities. Lee states that the unnaturally placed objects within her work allow her to convey emotions when words fail to capture the detail and nuances of her thoughts.
Within Lee’s piece, Defeated, the simultaneous discontent and hope one may feel as they are faced with situations out of their control. Within an interview with Eye Em by Talenthouse, Lee states, “So often we can find ourselves getting “pulled down” into the reality of our lives. We feel defeated, stuck at a loss and sometimes hopeless. As humans, we cannot always control the situations we are in…The light may be dim at that moment, but one day the light will shine bright again.
Through this representation of the hidden struggle mental health may impose upon an individual, Lee simultaneously allows the audience to feel accompanied and understood through their struggle. This displays the true ability artistic expression has to unite individuals through their shared sentiments.
Lee’s primary art medium is photography as she is fond of the capability she believes photography has to combine different art mediums to merge them into a single piece. The artist has stated that she utilizes her iPhone Camera and a Canon T-Rebel 6 to capture the initial base image for her pieces. In order to edit separate elements into the piece in order to form a sense of traditional illustration (such as clouds, birds. and fish), Lee primarily uses an application called Enlight . Additionally, she also utilizes another application by the name of Superimposed.
Shell, photograph, Deandra Lee, 2019
Through the work of brilliant artists such as Deandra Lee, individuals struggling with their mental health may build a connection to other individuals experiencing similar hardships. Through art one can communicate through the language of emotion and sentiments, truly providing an additional conduit for human connection and mental support.
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More fantastic work by Deandra Lee is available on Instagram at @dan_wonders
Additional Sources:
https://www.icanvas.com/blog/4-artists-exploring-the-struggles-of-mental-health/
https://creativetrends.eyeem.com/articles/artist-inspiration-deandra-lee-collages
Mental Health Support
Crisis Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/
Lifeline and Suicide Prevention: https://988lifeline.org/