Christian Sampson
Christian Sampson, a photographer with an interest in contemporary art has produced a series of images representing some of the most common mental illnesses effecting people today. Christian is primarily a wedding and portrait photographer but also enjoys making his own expressive artwork. He says “I love compositing and the power that it can have on viewers.” When asked why he made these images Christian said “I was inspired by different people in my life that struggle with a lot of these health issues.”This series of artwork is certain to have an effect on some people, potentially aiding those with mental illness by helping those who stigmatise this kind of illness to empathise.
The photographs, all taken in black and white are reminiscent of early horror films with their harsh lighting and high contrasts. Christian also incorporates split-focus depth of field effects helping to communicate the altered perception of those suffering with mental illness. The pictures are also pretty undoubtedly creepy, as well as beautifully shot and edited. Making them the featured artwork of the week.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses in Britain with 8.2 million cases reported in 2013. To me, this picture represents the horrid, blazing darkness that penetrates you as you slowly become more and more overwhelmed with anxiety. You find a wall. You press your hands and forehead against it and you narrow your focus to only the wall. The cold feeling of the wall washes over you like a refreshing wave as you feel the darkness slowly leaving you.
Depression is another very common mental illness in the UK with 4-10% of people experiencing depression in their lifetime. It's characterised by a feeling of helplessness and is also associated with anxiety. This photograph received a small amount of criticism online, with depression sufferers claiming that although it feels like you are drowning - you would never scream out for help. Despite this Christian says “My favourite [image] is probably depression. Just because I think the image itself really gives substance and weight to depression.”
Sampson planned on doing a series on physical illness (cancer). Later he switched to the portrayal of mental disorders. He wanted to show the daily life of common man battling with the unseen mental disorders. He wanted his visual photo’s to connect with a large number of people.
21-year-old Christian Sampson was short of funds for the project but it did not stop him. So he got his friends to act as models. Sampson compiled a list of mental disorders. He narrowed the list to 12 disorders containing serious disorders to common issue. They are ranged from Schizophrenia to Insomnia.The photos were planned in a way to accurately match the description of the disorders.He shot the photos within eight weeks. The tone of the photos were deliberately kept dark.The purposefully dark visuals are emotively powerful in their narration of the mental illness.Since Sampson wanted to say that people really suffer from the disorder.Sampson is planning on more such albums themed on mental disorder’s. He actively seeks ideas and suggestions from his followers on social platforms.
Young Sampson is a print photographer as well. He takes on commission work for weddings and does portrait pictures as well.Though a print’s man, Sampson says mental illness remains very important for him as he has people living with it every day.
What started as a simple school project now has become the powerful pictures of mental disorders. The photos are finding empathy from people who face mental disorders. Considered to be a sensitive topic, Sampson’s handling of the subject has been much appreciated.
