BREAKING DOWN: A Panel Discussion on Art and Mental Illness, Firsthand

Sunday, May 19th, 3-5pm

RSVP (Not Required But Requested)

Flux Factory
39-31 29th Street
Long Island City

The tale of emotionally distraught artists’, Vincent Van Gogh and Sylvia Plath, are repetitive stories played out through the biopic lens of Hollywood. But what part of the story is real? Who is telling the story? How do we challenge the emotionally distraught artist narrative? Artists of Fountain House Gallery engage with this conversation by sharing their experiences of living with mental illness, and the role it plays in making their art.

Breaking Down, a panel + discussion, organized by Laurie Berenhaus is part of TALK BACK in conjunction with Fountain House. Breaking Down challenges the fetishization of mentally ill artists through perspectives on health and the creative process in the context for the art world. Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with Q&A. Questions and conversation encouraged.

Moderator: Ariel Willmott, Fountain House Gallery Director

Artists:
Laurie Berenhaus (Organizer), https://berenhausstudios.com/
Miguel Colon, https://mcs69.jimdo.com/
Keith Pavia, https://www.fountainhousegallery.org/gallery/artist/keith-pavia
Susan Spangenberg, https://www.susanspangenberg.com

About Fountain House Gallery: Fountain House Gallery and Studio provides an environment in which artists living with mental illness can express their creative visions and exhibit their work. Founded by Fountain House in 2000 as a not-for-profit exhibition space for its member-artists living and working with mental illness, the Gallery sells original artworks and collaborates with a wide network of artists, curators and cultural institutions. Embracing artists who are emerging or established, trained or self-taught, Fountain House Gallery cultivates artistic growth, makes a vital contribution to the New York arts community, and challenges the stigma surrounding mental illness. Learn more about Fountain House Gallery at http://fountainhousegallery.com/

TALK BACK is curated by Lexy Ho-Tai and moira williams.

Accessibility:
Flux Factory gallery and ground floor, gender-neutral bathroom is ADA Accessible. No ID or fee necessary for entry. Free tap water is available as are chairs with backs.

The closest subway stations with street level elevators is Queens Plaza (E, M, R trains), and 21st Street Queensbridge (F Train). MTA Elevator and Escalator Status. TALK BACK will include audio guides and large-print and braille versions of written work. There is a quiet space within the gallery with low-level lighting, earplugs, chairs, cushions, eye masks, and reading material. Service animals are welcome. Please arrive fragrance free and with quiet phones. Thank you!

Please feel free to contact curators Lexy Ho-Tai or moira williams at access@fluxfactory.org about access needs and questions. If you require ASL interpretation or real-time captioning, please reach out by May 5, 2019, if possible. Thank you!

TALK BACK is made possible through in-kind support from Materials for the Arts, Disability/Arts/NY a generous donation from Joe Cardillo, and supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Create NYC Disability Forward Fund Enjoy Life