Unveiled: Shining a Light on Bipolar Disorder

About the Exhibit:

In anticipation of Bipolar Awareness Day on March 30th, Project Onward has decided to feature and celebrate our many talented artists who live with Bipolar Disorder, and provide insight into their experiences as artists.

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic mental illness characterized by periods of extreme shifts in mood, from depressive lows to manic highs. These shifts can come with drastic changes in energy, thought processes, sleep patterns, and behavior. Individuals with Bipolar Disorder can experience periods of troubling lethargy and hopelessness followed by periods of staggering energy, productivity, and happiness.

Experts have found that creativity often goes hand in hand with Bipolar Disorder. This drive to create can be a blessing and a curse. The eagerness to learn and innovative thinking can lead to groundbreaking works of art and progressive schools of thought. However, extraordinary creativity can also feed into the “madness is close to genius” mentality, which can further stigmatize an artist with Bipolar Disorder.

One of Project Onward’s goals is to encourage artists with neurodiversity to use their artistic practice as a healthy outlet to channel and process their experiences and emotions that are often hard to express. Our artists with Bipolar Disorder have a rich and exciting take on this part of our mission, and a unique perspective which deserves a platform. Featured Artists incude Julius Bautista, Cherylle Booker, Allen McNair, Fernando Ramirez, Sheila Smith, and George Zuniga