“I have seen, in a small way, how art can improve people’s lives”
Marcus Oakley is a Scottish artist who has produced an exclusive See Me print, inspired by the See Us movement to end mental health stigma and discrimination. Here, he shares his experiences and inspiration.
When you meet people, how do you start a conversation? How often is it when you go into someone’s home, or you start a meeting at work, or you meet a friend, you get a hot drink? That’s a device that makes it easier to talk. It breaks the ice and you need that with important conversations.
The concept of my piece, Tea Time, was saying that one of the most important things to do when it comes to mental health is to talk. That’s how we can improve things.
Changing the way people think about mental health is a long journey, but that first cup of tea can get that going.
In Edinburgh I work with Artlink, which helps people with disadvantages by using art. But the first thing we always do is have a cup of tea.
Through my life a cup of tea has helped me to chat.
The images is showing the friendliness of a hot beverage. I hope that through seeing it people will remember some of the important conversations they have had.
Helping through creativity
I feel really positive getting involved with the See Us campaign and using my creativity to help. It feels like we still have mountains to climb in this area. The fact that See Me exists show we still have a lot to do. Basically, charities exist because services aren’t there. So if I can help here, that’s really positive.
My whole message was developed thinking about my own experience. I have had anxiety and panic attacks so I understand how you can feel in this situation.
I know how certain environments, like work, can be really difficult for people, and we need to change this so people can be themselves. If you are not supported, things can be much harder, but if you do support people, life can be much better.
If people aren’t supported they can be isolated, but if people don’t know how to help and reach out to each other they might just avoid it.
Making things better
I have seen in a small way how art can improve people’s lives. It can’t change everything, but it can make things better.
My experiences are through creativity. I have had some challenging experiences , I have anxiety and panic attacks and at times art has helped me get through that. The thing that really helped was Artlink, and working with others. I worked on psychiatric wards, with people with learning disabilities, and they taught me as much as I taught them.
We need humans to interact with to give us positivity. We need other people to help us to heal, we can’t do it ourselves. We need our friends, family, strangers, everyone can have a powerful influence.
It’s important as a human to be compassionate. You need to be open and listen to others and to their stories. Everyone has something going on and you have to talk, and listen.
Marcus Oakley has produced a limited run of Tea Time prints, with a portion of the profits going to See Me. You can purchase your print at marcusoakley.com.
