Ariel Michalak (he/they)
Poland
I'm a socially engaged transgender artist from Poland. My work focuses on flora, fauna, human rights and nature. I’m heavily influenced by Japanese and Chinese art. I work traditionally, using mixed media on paper. Living with conditions such as depression, borderline personality disorder, ADHD and gender dysphoria in Poland has been very difficult. The stigma surrounding mental health is still big here. Especially when it comes to transgender people. Through my art, I want to show the reality of living with these conditions, as well as raising awareness about them. I believe that art can revolutionize the world, and my main motivation for taking action is the idea of unrestricted freedom.
The artists' stories
"The Vibrant Mind" is an art contest that celebrates artistic expression from individuals with mental health conditions. By focusing on the artists' work rather than their various diagnoses, it hopes to promote a stigma-free and inclusive environment.
That being said, the participants were given the option to share their background stories if they wished to do so.
