The righteous side of hell

2021
eight Kappa Mounted triptych portraits
29.8 x 63 x 1 cm. Overall installation size: 100 x 200 x 2.5 cm

How is mental health perceived amongst organisations such as The Australian Defence Force? The Military requires a certain mindset to work in prolonged extreme high-stress environments, either through Domestic and International terrorism response, natural disaster response, Peace-Making Operations, and Peace-Keeping Operations.

Within the Australian Defence Force, there has been a stigma around mental health and how soldiers may be perceived to express their emotional state openly. It may lead to adverse outcomes, such as losing a position of command, limited posting opportunities, being taken off career-advancing courses and being singled out or made to feel like they are no longer a part of the team.

These situations can lead to a rapid deterioration of the soldier's mental health. Soldiers tend not to share their emotions and may turn to destructive coping strategies, such as alcohol abuse and drug abuse, leading to divorce, homelessness, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide.

The Righteous Side of Hell is a project that will focus on veterans; it will allow them to communicate their thoughts and emotions in a constructive tangible manner. It will help soldiers show the invisible scars they carry, informing the viewers of their pain and suffering.