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tal health diagnosis to feel shame and embarrass- It has the ability to educate viewers while also being
ment for suffering from a natural and unavoidable a life-saving therapeutic outlet for it’s creator. Art’s THE NED
affliction. They often feel that their diagnosis must ability to educate helps cultivate the understand-
be kept secret in hopes to avoid social ostracization. ing needed to spread kindness. If artists can, upon
Society doesn’t seem to realize that those who suffer looking at a piece, make the viewer feel the emotions MAY 5TH - JUNE 28TH, 2021
from mental illness are typically normal people that they felt while creating the piece, then there can be MAY 6TH - ARTIST RECEPTION
have a chemical imbalance caused by a lack of an an understanding and a relay of mindset that can
infinitesimal amount of a brain hormone and that create empathy within seconds. If people can empa-
with treatment and education, their quality of life thize with those that suffer, then we can tear down
can be restored. We all fear the things that we don’t the walls of fear that pervade society.
know. And, the only thing that can combat society’s
fear (and all fears for that matter) regarding mental Without these walls of suffocating isolation, those
illness and those that suffer is education. I’ve wit- with mental health issues can feel freedom to receive
nessed in events that I’ve attended and from people help without shame, they can be celebrated for their
that I’ve met through my art that art can create a courage to tackle an illness that affects every emo-
kinder world. Art can create a beautiful scene that’s tion of a person every single day, and they can freely
so incredible that it makes a viewer feel it’s beauty. educate others about the various symptoms they About Joshua
Art can create a scene so upsetting and vulgar that it initially experienced while also giving information Joshua Blankinship is a self-taught
can create an empathy that didn’t exist in the view- on the places and techniques that they’ve used to visual artist (painter) from Medina,
er before seeing the piece. Art can create a scene best receive help. Artists and art lovers worldwide TN. He's the originator of the art
that relays information so easily and efficiently that can participate in this societal awakening and they movement known as "Impressivism."
a piece can educate a viewer more quickly than a can start promoting it today. There’s very little in this His original style fuses vivid color and
textbook. world that’s nearly as kind as removing shame and texture to visually express the mag-
stigma for our friends, family, and neighbors that nified feelings and emotions that are
The power of art is limitless. It’s only bridle is cen- suffer. Art is not just beautiful decor that matches prevalent within his Bipolar Disorder.
sorship and a lack of appreciation of what the arts your couch, it’s the greatest visual messenger of His art hangs in the homes of celebri-
represent. I’d absolutely love to see a rejuvenation emotions, feelings, and kindness that the world has ties such as 2020 NBA Rookie of the
of art within society. I’d love to see art classes return ever known. Year Ja Morant, NFL All-Pro Jurrell
to every school. I’d love for every person to expe- Casey, the estate of Rock and Roll Hall
rience the release that creativity gives---and once of Fame member Carl Perkins, the
feeling that release, work to pass it on so that others Tennessee Governor’s Mansion etc..
may feel it, too. I’d love to see the visual unleashing Creating, mental health advocacy, and
of emotion through creative activities become a JOSHUA BLANKINSHIP family are his passion and the fuel that
medical treatment for the mentally ill that’s just as FINE ART STUDIO feeds his motivation. He currently
important as therapy and medication. But, society has a solo exhibition titled: “Suicidal
has a long way to go. And, until the day that a men- Sometimes: the Art and Mental Illness
tal health diagnosis becomes as socially acceptable of Joshua Blankinship” at the Ned
as a chronic migraine or arthritis diagnosis, I’ll be McWherter Cultural Arts Center in
using my creations to spread information and social downtown Jackson, TN through the
awareness. end of June.
I want my art and my story to advocate for others
who don’t feel nearly as comfortable discussing their
situation. I’d love for others that are in a similar I’d love to see the visual unleashing of emotion through creative activities
situation as myself to speak out about their issues.
There’s nothing at all shameful about mental illness. become a medical treatment for the mentally ill that’s just as important
These are illnesses that are greatly influenced by Scan to view all of Joshua’s magnificent paintings as therapy and medication. But, society has a long way to go.
genetics and there’s no reason why a sufferer should
feel at fault. Art, in and of itself, is a unique action. --- Joshua Blankinship
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