Depression

Size: 45 x 53 cm

Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas

Year of work: 2022

My friend was sick. We thought she could have recovered after taking medicines. However she didn’t. We have to pay attention to our mental state as much as to our physical health. It could be invisible when we are hurt mentally. At this moment all we need is a space to be heard and to be understood.

Sadly, nowadays people are too busy to care about others. In addition, we hold judgments onto others when we listen. My dear listeners, please don’t provide any “opinion” when you listen. Let the speaker express herself in a comfortable environment, she will feel the powerful understanding from you. This is all she needs.

The dark colours in the painting represent the strife and despair of the sufferer, to the point where the person is holding uncontrollable mental fluctuation and is about to suffocate. Sadly, hopes could be rarely seen – the vibrant colours – from the trap. However, there are some white bits still represented as the safe spaces given from others.

I hope all of you will find a safe space when you need it. Please remember that you are not alone. At the same time, provide such space if you are able to. Let’s create a world with love with less judgment. 

朋友生病了，剛開始以爲只是身體病了，看醫生，吃點藥便會好起來，後來才發現不是。除了身體上的健康，我們都應該更關注心靈上的健康。心靈上的受傷或生病都是難以被肉眼看到。被了解及聆聽是當時人最需要的。

眼見可惜的是，各人的生活都很忙碌，並未有空餘時間可以停下來關心身邊人。更可惜的是，許多人的聆聽都帶著批判。聆聽者請記著，你的角色就是聆聽，對方並不需要你所謂的好心意見，也不需要你的建議。當事人最需要的，不過是一個安全的空間去訴説，去表達。從而被明白，被理解。畫中的深色部分代表當事人的絕望與掙扎。那種絕望到窒息，内心波濤洶湧的感覺。偶爾情況好一點的時候也會見到希望。但很少，就是鮮艷顔色與金色的部分。背景留白的部分是別人騰出的空間，那個安全的空間。

願每一個有這個需要的你，都有幸找到這個安全的空間，請記著，你並不孤單。而自問有能力的，也請抽出時間去提供這個空間。希望這世界少一點批判，多一點愛。