A photographic exhibition challenging traditional research methods and capturing the lived experience of those with serious and chronic mental illnesses will be on display at the Queensland College of Art from January 17 to 27.
Wounded not Conquered by Griffith University senior lecturer, Dr Juanita Muller, is the culmination of a three-year inter-disciplinary study combining psychology and photo-documentary practice.
Having spent three years mastering the skills of documentary practice, Dr Muller, a psychologist, worked with the residents of hostels and boarding houses to capture the complex and multi-dimensional layers of those diagnosed with a mental illness. The result is a series of 22 photographs depicting their lives.
“I aimed to extend traditional psychological research to bring out findings using images to enhance our understanding of their experiences,” Dr Muller said.
“Using visual psychology provides a new way for individual stories to be told in context. It explores how it feels to suffer from chronic, serious mental illness and exist on the margins of our community.”
The exhibition is supported by Griffith University’s Centre of Public Culture and Ideas.
WHAT: Wounded not Conquered photographic exhibition
WHEN: January 17 to 27, Opening night: January 17, 6pm
WHERE: College Gallery, Queensland College of Art, Tribune Street, South Bank