Being Seen is a new series of paintings created by Andy Farr in 2024 (PhD Philosophy candidate). Each painting is based on one-to-one dialogues with people who have experienced various forms of trauma, including the Manchester Arena bombing, serious illness, road accidents, and childhood abuse. The participants have been a mix of new subjects and some who Andy has painted in earlier projects. The title reflects both the visual medium and the process of attunement that led to the creation of each work.
The paintings explore how art and storytelling can work as a lever to unlock trauma and aid in post-traumatic growth and build on previous projects:
The Being Seen project raises a host of interesting philosophical questions around mental health:
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What is the nature, meaning, and significance of trauma? Can we define trauma? If so, how should we define it?
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What is it to ‘be seen’? How can we explain why being seen (and more generally representation in a visual medium) can be cathartic for people who have suffered trauma?
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What is the nature of a therapeutic relationship? Is this something confined to mental health professions, or can it emerge in artistic relationships?
In their own words
Andy's research is a philosophical exploration of the therapeutic effects of trauma portraiture. Here he reflects on his PhD journey.
Dr Craig French, one of Andy's co-supervisors for his Philosophy PhD reflects on the Being Seen project and it's philosophical enquiry.