Migrant's art exhibition shows: community saves lives from depression
Jan's artwork at a George Town exhibition depicts different mental health struggles and paths through hardship.
Jan Barkhuizen moved to Tasmania from South Africa more than ten years ago. Jan left behind his family, his job, and later experienced the death of his son.
In the first few months he cried his lungs out and had no one he knew. What pulled him through was making friends and finding people to talk to.
Now he's sharing that message through art. His entry in the Before and Becoming exhibition at George Town depicts three faces showing different mental health experiences.
One face is dark, surrounded by yellow light, depression doesn't look the same on everyone. Another face smiles despite a dark background, you can choose to find joy even in hard times.
The third face shows someone deciding which way to turn. The exhibition runs for two weeks in October during Mental Health Awareness Month.
- More than 10 years
- Years in Tasmania
- George Town
- Exhibition location
- Two weeks in October
- Exhibition duration
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Event timing
Why it mattersHis artwork and story demonstrate that community connection and personal choice can be powerful forces against depression.
AustraliaGeorge Town's October exhibition responds to rising suicide rates, particularly among tradespeople in Tasmania, offering art as a way to break isolation.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 h ago
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