The "Welcome to Yourself" project by Pennybridge Creative involved 25 Gold Coast creatives, who used 1970s-style skateboards as canvases to explore their mental health. The aim was to normalize conversations around mental health in the creative industry. The skateboards were auctioned, raising over $5,700 for the mental health initiative Never Not Creative and for flood relief. The campaign highlighted the challenges of resilience during recent global events, like the pandemic and natural disasters. You can learn more here.
The skateboard I painted for Penny Bridge explores the intersection of mental health, self-awareness, and the desire for escape. Through the use of Lo-fi aesthetics and bright pastel colours, I sought to juxtapose the heavy emotions tied to thoughts of failure and negative self-awareness with a feeling of calm contemplation. The design evokes a quiet introspection, where turbulent emotions, like ruminations of despair or escape, find a sense of peace. The artwork reflects the project’s broader mission of fostering open conversations around mental well-being, inviting viewers to confront difficult emotions with honesty and self-compassion.
My board ended up auctioning for $500 which is just incredible!
