Artist Statement: As a peer support worker at a mental health treatment center in Vancouver, BC, I facilitate a weekly art group for patients receiving involuntary treatment under the British Columbia Mental Health Act. “Involuntary Patient (#958)” is a mixed-media collage I made during this group. The experience of layering and unlayering in the collage is influenced by the resilience and challenges faced by the patients I work with. The vibrant colours in the artwork contrast with the feelings of despair experienced by patients striving for autonomy within a complex mental health system.
Based in East Vancouver, BC, Quin Martins (he/him) is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, and musician who draws inspiration from his mental health and substance use journey. Through colour, humour, and text, Quin explores themes common to speculative fiction, such as questions of authorship in the digital age and the delicate balance between personal creativity and corporate influence. He holds a BFA in visual arts from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
losing our grip on purpose 