Press

Joanne Braddy art

Press

2015

Brisbane artist makes a career out of tackling her depression
ABC Radio
Maria Hatzakis reported this story on Thursday, October 8, 2015 08:26:52

Link http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4327339.htm

Story

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Fearing awkward conversations or disapproving looks, people with a mental illness often choose to hide their condition.

But for others, the best way to cope is to put it on public display, and get people talking.

Maria Hatzakis spoke to an artist in Brisbane who's doing just that.

(Sound of a crowd)

MARIA HATZAKIS: At a community expo at Strathpine on Brisbane's north-side, artist Joanne Braddy explains the details on one of the dozens of her paintings on display.

JOANNE BRADDY: It has a mark over the face and it feels like that you're restricted, basically, in not being able to be who you are and the lines are to do with the path that I've been on.

MARIA HATZAKIS: It's been a long path for the 32 year old.

JOANNE BRADDY: I've had mental illness for most of my life but I wasn't diagnosed until I was 19 years old.

I had serious OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, so I'd have to do certain things before I'd leave the house.

I used to every time, I'd tap a certain amount of times before I'd leave the house, tapping my hands on the door. It's a part of OCD, sometimes people wash dishes and some people clean houses and some people tap (laughs).

MARIA HATZAKIS: For a long time, the condition was something she was reluctant to share.

JOANNE BRADDY: I was open to my boyfriend at the time but I didn't talk to my family about it because they tend to just make me feel small.

MARIA HATZAKIS: But about six years ago, Joanne Braddy's life began to change. She started hiding alone in a TAFE gallery to paint.

JOANNE BRADDY: Personally, I found that it was the only thing that got me where I am because but the impact of getting something out of your psyche and putting it onto paper, they're certain things that you can't get out with therapy.

Therapy can't always reach those parts of your mind that art can.

MARIA HATZAKIS: That spurred her on to become a full time artist working from her home studio in Brisbane.

Her paintings have appeared in exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

They express her inner struggles and people's reactions to depression.

JOANNE BRADDY: I think sometimes people have certain issues themselves, that maybe they're afraid that they may have had depression in the past, or they may have caused it.

So I think there is maybe a lot of stigma around that. I think people are afraid of talking about it.

MARIA HATZAKIS: And she says when they do talk about it, they tend to say the wrong thing.

JOANNE BRADDY: They just think that "just get over it".

I think they could probably say "Oh it's all right, you'll feel better tomorrow", or "just give it a bit, you'll come through".

I think there's a lot more things that you can say and then just perk up.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Artist Joanne Braddy ending that report by Maria Hatzakis.

2015
 Westerner Paper 
Arts mixes with mental health awareness
link http://www.thewesterner.com.au/?p=6694
Posted By: Lee Oliver September 23, 2015

Brisbane Joanne Braddy will present a solo art exhibition as part of the 2015 Mental Health Community Resource Expo.
Talented local artist Joanne Braddy will present a solo exhibition at the Strathpine Community Centre next week as part of the 2015 Mental Health Community Resource Expo.
The Art For Art’s Sake organisation is hosting the exhibit in conjunction with a competition for local artists living in the community with mental health challenges.

Art has played a major role in Ms Braddy’s life and has served as a “survival kit” and a mental retreat where she can forget her worries.
The Strathpine resident is familiar with the challenges of living with depression and says the purpose behind most of her artwork is to reassure others and remind them that they are not alone.
“I have been working for the last five years to reduce the stigma around depression,” she said.
“I am hoping my art work can be seen by as many people as possible because I have an honest message to share.
“My goal is to be seen by the regional galleries so that one day I can have a solo exhibition tour of my message through all the regional galleries in Queensland.”

Event coordinator Vicci Gates says artists submitted work based on the expo theme: ‘Have a chuckle: laughter is great medicine for mental wellness’.
Ms Gates says these events celebrate creativity and provide an opportunity for the artists to interact and express themselves freely.
The Mental Health Community Expo will provide information, connect people with support options, as well as reduce stigma, and promote positive mental health awareness.
Stephen Heap from Neami National says noticing the lighter side of life has been useful to recovery journeys as well as for those supporting and caring for people with mental health issues.
“Laughter potentially can provide not only comic relief, but a way to unite us as a society in breaking down stigma in mutual joyful experiences, and empathy,” Mr Heap said.
The Mental Health Community Expo is on at the Strathpine Community Centre, 199 Gympie Road, Strathpine on 1 October from 10am to 2pm.

 Courier mail   
2012 ,2013


Therapeutic art on display

Thursday, 20 September 2012

Source: Benjamin Phillips


  artist Joanne Braddy prepares paintings for two exhibitions, the Art from the Margins competition and a solo show at C Gallery.
Brisbane Joanne Braddy is having a busy September with her artwork being displayed in the Art from the Margins competition, followed by her first solo exhibition.


Having lived with depression most of her life, Joanne’s works are mainly self-portraits, symbolising the struggles of mental illness.


She uses painting as therapy and hopes her art can provide reassurance for others experiencing the same difficulties.


“It’s the everyday stuff I go through that I put on paper,” Joanne said.


“A lot of my work is basically to make people feel more comfortable with their mental illness, to realise that they’re not alone.”


Some of Joanne’s work is on display in Brisbane as a part of the Art from the Margins competition, a creative initiative of the Wesley Mission Brisbane on display until 22 September.


Art from the Margins coordinator Tony Anderton said the competition originated as a way to exhibit the artwork of disadvantaged people who had no way to show their work.


Joanne will also have 35 paintings she has worked on over the past two years displayed in her first solo exhibition at C Gallery in Fortitude Valley, from 27 September to 16 October.


The exhibition, entitled The Darkness That Opened My Eyes, is about awareness of mental illness.


C Gallery owner and curator Troy Williams said the public would be inspired by Joanne’s journey.


“We can all relate to going through hard times but as Joanne demonstrates in her life and art there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.


All of Joanne’s work is for sale, and five per cent of profits will go to the Arts from the Margins initiative.
 the weekend edition 2012
The Darkness that opener my eyes

A Journey through mental illness is the focus of local emerging artist Joanne Braddy’s first solo exhibition entitled ‘The Darkness that Opened my Eyes’ at James Street art space C Gallery.
 
The painter, who suffers from depression, will exhibit 20 never before seen works in the show, which will run from Thursday 27th September until Thursday 11th October 2012. C Gallery owner and director Troy Williams said the raw emotion of Joanne’s paintings inspired him to host her first solo art exhibition.
 
“Before I knew about Joanne’s background, the personal honesty of her work drew me in. Sharp lines portrayed darkness but small splashes of colour showed a hint of positivity. I think the public will be inspired by her journey. Joanne demonstrates in her life and art there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Troy.
 
C Gallery will donate 5% of sales from the exhibition to Art from the Margins (AFTM) a creative initiative of Wesley Mission Brisbane which offers an outlet for artists who are homeless, live with a mental illness or physical disability or are challenged by adverse circumstances.
 
AFTM Coordinator Tony Anderton who recently acquired one of Joanne’s works for AFTM’s permanent collection said exhibitions like “The Darkness that Opened My Eyes’ at C Gallery would help to overcome the social stigma attached with mental illness.
 “Art can be an important element of positive recovery from mental illness. Not only does creativity provide an outlet to communicate but the sense of achievement and independence is a key element to moving forward.”
 Joanne Braddy echoed Tony Anderton’s sentiments saying that after previously suffering a breakdown she turned to painting to communicate her feelings. “I decided to push myself to paint what I felt. It was so hard to put these feelings on the canvas as with every stroke of the paint brush I was going through my emotions inside. But each new painting was a new journey I had to take.”
 
A portion of sales from the exhibition will be donated to Art for the Margins, a Wesley Mission Brisbane organisation which offers an outlet for homeless artists or those with mental illness.

Everguide
A journey through mental illness is the focus of local emerging artist Joanne Braddy’s first solo exhibition entitled ‘The Darkness that Opened my Eyes’ at James Street art space C Gallery.

The painter who suffers from depression will exhibit 20 never before seen works in the show, which will run from Thursday 27 September until Thursday 11th October 2012.

C Gallery owner and director Troy Williams said the raw emotion of Joanne’s paintings inspired him to host her first solo art exhibition.

"Before I knew about Joanne's background, the personal honesty of her work drew me in. Sharp lines portrayed darkness but small splashes of colour showed a hint of positivity.

"I think the public will be inspired by her journey. Joanne demonstrates in her life and art there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Troy.




Joanne Braddy 2012