For New Zealand born Seville Grove artist Gracey, art isn’t just a form of expression it is also a way of healing.
He wants to share the medicine.
Following a bout of depression after he was made redundant eight months ago Gracey embarked on a project called Art vs Depression where he asks the community to help inspire his future works.
He moved to Perth four and a half years ago to chase the mining boom after he got a job operating heavy machinery.
“I came here for the mining but I was made redundant eight months ago,” he said.
“Four or five months during that I took a hit through depression, I came into my (studio) and hid and painted, it affected my family.
“My coping mechanism is to close up, build walls and not communicate.”
After a while he started painting symbols from his Maori heritage, which gave him strength to pull himself out of the depression and the Art vs Depression idea began.
“I had a light bulb idea and said this stuff is actually healing me,” he said.
“I thought maybe it might help somebody else.
“For the project I go out into the community with a box of crayons and a piece of paper and I record colours and lines that people make.
“When I have enough pieces I’m going to correlate all of this work, come into my studio, lay it all out and produce artwork from all the lines and colours.”
So far Gracey has collected marks from community members at the Champion Lakes Shopping Centre in Seville Grove and in the Jull Street Mall, Armadale.
He said the community input makes his future works living and breathing pieces by and for the community while also giving him the chance to raise awareness about depression.
“My understanding is that way it’s the community’s works, together we can produce this,” he said.
“Then my artwork comes alive, it’s a living breathing consciousness of the community that I live in.”
He said so far the results have been positive but some people are a little confused.
“Most people are saying, ‘bro that’s mean’, that’s where I’m getting my joy from,” he said.
“I carry a box of crayons so it doesn’t look so intimidating.
“I take notes of the day to record general feeling amongst the community, I take notes like whether people are in a hurry or how many dismissals I get.”
Gracey encouraged anyone who sees him in the street to come up, say hi, and leave a mark.
“If you’ve been touched personally or know anyone who has been personally touched, choose a colour, leave a mark,” he said.
Gracey said when he starts exhibiting he will donate the profits of the originals to mental health organisations.
Follow the Art vs Depression project on facebook.
