Block 336 Gallery, Brixton

This episode takes its title from a quote by the late Hollywood icon, Carrie Fisher – herself an outspoken manic depressive and recovering addict, who quipped: “I do believe you’re only as sick as your secrets. If that’s true, I’m just really healthy.” In keeping with this sentiment, this show interviews artists and mental health advocates who have publicly revealed that which many people would be ashamed to admit, that is, that they struggle with mental health issues or are seeking help through therapy or psycho-pharmaceuticals.

Examining the links between self-disclosure, self-care, belonging, creativity and wellbeing, the episode will emphasise that the first step towards getting help is admitting you need it. The guest’s very public, yet highly candid accounts of mental health difficulties ride the line between confession and activism, going beyond ‘mere’ therapy by pointing to the wider determinants of their experiences and the call to action that they demand. In this way, they speak to the very real need to make stories like these public. As the rates of depression, anxiety and suicide soar, it is more urgent than ever to find therapies that address the personal as well as the social. Join Oriana and her guests to locate approaches to mental health that bolster individuals, create safe spaces of belonging and question the status quo.

GUEST BIOS

Hamja Ahsan is an artist, curator, activist and the author of the book Shy Radicals: Antisystemic Politics of the Militant Introvert, which is based on the idea of a revolutionary political party for shy, quiet and autistic spectrum peoples. In addition to founding and co-curating the DIY Cultures festival of creative activism, zines and independent publishing since 2013, Ahsan has presented art projects at PS1 MOMA in New York, Tate Modern, Gwangju Biennale, Guild Gallery New York, Shaanakht festival Pakistan and Shlipa Academy, Bangladesh.

Anouchka Grose is a writer and Lacanian psychoanalyst whose recent books include: From Anxiety to Zoolander; Hysteria Today; No More Silly Love Songs; and Are you considering therapy? Her journalism appears in The Guardian and The Independent and she works with artists, writing about their work. Before training as a therapist, Anouchka studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths. She is also a musician and currently plays lap steel guitar with Martin Creed’s band.

The performer Jess Love’s productions deftly juxtapose circus art specialisms such as hula-hoops, acrobatics and double trapeze with bold, confessional storytelling. She’s currently touring her award-winning show “Notorious Strumpet and Dangerous Girl”, which plunges into the dark stuff: alcoholism and the trail of mayhem it leaves in its wake.

Mr Kim Noble is an award-winning comedic performance and video artist whose provocative work exposes the human condition. Blurring the line between art and life, Noble’s output employs an uncompromising mixture of honesty, black humour and absurdity to explore his relationship with big themes: death, sexuality, gender and religion.

‘Queer and Now’ Festival, Tate Britain

Queer theorist Jack Halberstam asserted nearly twenty years ago that female masculinity is not simply a bad copy of the real deal, but an important entity in its own right. Masculinity without men, he argued, not only throws the connection between sex and gender into turmoil, but also is crucial to the definition of masculinity itself. Despite the countless ways that female masculinity can be expressed, it continues to remain a largely invisible phenomenon, at least outside of queer contexts. This episode of the O Show celebrates the experience and expression of female masculinity.

This episode interviews intersexy iconoclast Del LaGrace Volcano, actor and drag king Temi Wilkey and boyish performance artist Lucy Hutson. It also features performances from Pecs Drag Kings.

▶ Part 2: The Discussion

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Describe what viewers can expect from your video. Note if any supplies or equipment is needed. You may also include a transcript.

This is where you have space to share your inspiration, philosophy, or goal for the video. You might want to share more about your background, process, tips, or a few words of encouragement. Let your viewers know how they can follow up with you, ask questions, or submit feedback.

You can also use this space to promote other videos or service offerings. If nothing else, recommend what video your viewers should check out next.