About SANE
Art Gallery > John McGuigan
An artist and photographer living in Middlesborough, John's photography captures the seasons throughout Britain and has helped him to deal with his manic depression. John sometimes works by setting off on his bicycle, with his camera, covering long distances of the country. He will often be away from home for over two weeks at a time in his quest for 'the perfect picture'
John has found that being a photographer has had beneficial effects for living and coping with mental illness. He describes his photography as taking pictures of 'unknown landscapes of mind and life…taking photos round each corner as they appear…Looking for peace of mind, opportunities come when the door opens onto the world you want to perceive'. He adds, 'by using my creative skills as a photographer, I am able to have an outlet for releasing my anxiety.'
When he becomes very ill and needs hospitalisation, John is unable to photograph. But even in the midst of deep depression there is still work going on. 'All I can do is look at my photographs from the past and know I will get better…plan my next adventure'
John also uses his work to challenge some of the negative stereotypes surrounding mental illness. "Suffering from a manic depressive illness does not mean you have a poor intellect. I see myself as more of an individual with great potential and with much more to offer, and would like to exhibit my work locally. Thereby presenting positive images to challenge negative stereotypes of people with mental health problems".