Health
nicole crentsil’s “unmasked women“ art exhibition explores the often overlooked mental health of young black women in the uk
Themed around the mental health and wellness, the Nicole Crentsil-curated project aims to ignite a conversation about mental health inside a community that systematically seems to struggle with acknowledging and considering psychological wellness as a real priority. Frustrated by the lack of available resources for young women of color, 24-year-old Crentsil, who herself struggled with mental illness as a young person, created this project to raise awareness for the unique, under-acknowledged, and frequently misunderstood psychological experiences of people who face intersectional oppression. “Some therapists are not aware of what it’s like to be brought up with racial oppressions and institutionalized pressures,” she said. “They think talking to your mum would solve all your issues,” Crentsil told The Huffington Post.
As “Unmasked Women” came together, it became on unlikely outlet for creative therapy that aided in the exploration of personal experiences while finding solace in and giving back to the community. “Something I started as a form of pleasure has now become bigger than I could ever imagine,” she said.
See some of the worked featured in the “Unmasked Women” exhibition below, and check out the full project, right here.
By Erin White*, AFROPUNK contributor
By: Juliana Kasumu
By: Adama Jalloh
By: Mikéla Henry-Lowe
By: KirzArt
*Erin White is an Atlanta-based writer and AFROPUNK’s editorial and social media assistant. You can follow her on Tumblr or friend her on Facebook. Have a pitch or an inquiry? Shoot her an email at erin@afropunk.com.
Get The Latest
Signup for the AFROPUNK newsletter
Related
