Emotion in Focus is a mental health and photography blog exploring identity, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. Through powerful visual storytelling, reflective articles, and personal experiences, we shine a light on topics like trauma, self-discovery, and social isolation — using art and imagery to foster connection, healing, and awareness.
The text explores the resurgence of political collage and documentary photography during the COVID-19 pandemic as tools for protest and accountability. As public frustration grew, artists documented the crisis, reflecting societal trauma and resisting governmental narratives. Historical references to artists like John Heartfield illustrate the enduring power of visual art in times of crisis.
The “In the Psychiatrist’s Chair” photography series reflects on how artists like Amy Winehouse express pain through their work. Winehouse’s music served as a form of therapy amidst her struggles with addiction and mental health, capturing raw honesty. The series emphasises art as a space for confrontation rather than healing.
The article examines the connection between fire imagery and emotional experiences associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It explores how trauma leaves lasting effects, comparing emotional responses to the glow of coals after a fire. Through photography, the author expresses personal struggles and the complexity of healing beyond initial overwhelm.
Photo elicitation is a therapeutic method using photographs to evoke memory and emotion, facilitating dialogue on hidden feelings and identity. Employed in mental health and art therapy, it aids emotional healing by making feelings expressible through visual prompts. Participants explore personal narratives, enhancing self-awareness and fostering creativity during recovery.
In post-conflict Northern Ireland, art serves as a vital tool for addressing trauma, allowing individuals to express unspeakable emotions around mental health and suicide. Through various mediums, artists transform silence into shared understanding, promoting healing and community connection. This creative expression is essential for survival and resilience.
Naming the Feeling As glaciers melt, forests burn, and species vanish, many of us carry a quiet ache. That ache has a name: ecological grief. It’s the sorrow we feel in response to environmental loss and for many, it’s as heavy as personal bereavement. Lets explore what is Ecological grief art. While scientists track data, artists…
Image © Teresa Lyle from the series Psychiatrist Chair
