The Tribune | Weekend | 07
Friday, May 24, 2024
art
New exhibit embraces mental health By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
C
HRISTINA Wong’s latest body of work is a love letter to people battling with mental health; not written in pen, but in the strokes of a paintbrush on canvas. “Embrace” is the name of her new exhibit at Hillside House, and it’s a hug from the artist for those who are currently wading through the rough waters of the mental challenges. The exhibition presents an opportunity to explore Christina’s deeply personal and thought-provoking work which focuses on the importance of mental health in the Bahamas. Given that May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, this is a very timely exhibition that shines a light on important conversations surrounding mental health through the medium of art. It runs until June 14, 2024. “The theme, ‘Embrace’, is a love letter to all those who are battling with their mental well-being,” said Christina. “This is a hug from me to those in need of affirmation, encouragement and hope. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, it was very important for me to open the show during this time and also to have it at Hillside House, a sacred space. I would like the audience to leave with feelings of joy, peace, wholeness, and an immeasurable amount of love, knowing that they are not alone.” As someone who studied psychology, Christina has always been interested in human behaviour. However, she hopes her work in this exhibition goes beyond the science and reaches people’s hearts. “I have always been fascinated with human behavioural science. As I studied psychology in university, I developed a love for the topic. I feel it is important to bring more awareness to this subject given the current climate, especially after COVID-19,” she said.
There are six mixed-media artworks and five paintings in the show. All depict different forms of affection. “Each colour is chosen to evoke feelings of tranquility and a sense of belonging,” the artist said. Christina said this body of work is especially important to her because it is her first solo show and she is able to spread a positive message which she hopes can change perspectives on mental health. “We are all dealing with various traumas, and we can all overcome them. Once you are still breathing and are cognisant of that breath, things can change, and you can change,” she said. “Since the opening, people have had various emotional experiences. I have had people have deep connections to the work; it brought tears to their eyes. Some have felt confident in expressing their struggles and others have left feeling great love and peace. I am proud of myself for overcoming my fears, and I hope that will encourage someone to start and push through till they overcome.” “Embrace” will be showcased at Hillside House until June 14, 2024. For further details, visit hillsidehousegallery.com Christina describes herself as a mixed-media artist and painter. She has been a part of the Bahamian art community for roughly a decade and is still very active in making art, community building and gallery work. Her career and art undergraduate education started at the former College of the Bahamas, where she was first given the opportunity, through Transforming Spaces Bahamas, to co-curate an exhibition at Popop Studios along with Heino Schmid (University of the Bahamas lecturer) for the ProSociety art students. “The advancement of artists became a new passion for me, and I focused most of my creative energy on gallery administration,” she said.
‘I Will Always, In All Ways Love You’
ARTIST Christina Wong
‘For The Love Of Self, I Am Healing.’
‘EMBRACE’
She then worked at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas under former director Amanda Coulson and former curator Holly Bynoe before completing her undergraduate degree at Lee University in Tennessee. After returning home she has had the privilege to work with John Cox at The Current Baha Mar Gallery and Art Centre for five years.
Currently, Christina works with art dealer Jose Mestre as the gallery director and marketing coordinator at Mestre Projects, a gallery based in the Albany community. “Thus far, my journey in the art community has been nothing short of bliss. I have a deep commitment to the Bahamian art community and the advancement of it. Outside of my duties, I am an artist, and finding that balance can be challenging, but it is worth it. My practice has progressed from creating work about Black women’s empowerment to advocating for mental health awareness. I enjoy pushing the boundaries in my work, discovering new things, and doing research on a particular theme,” she said.