Photographer Michael Nye connects art with the fragility of mental illnesses
Mental Health/Mental Illness
A documentary of voices, stories and portraits that confronts stereotypes
and reveals the courage and fragility of those with mental illnesses.
Michael Nye- Photographer
November 14 - December 20, 2008
Photographer Michael Nye spent four years traveling the United States photographing and making audio recordings of people sharing their stories of living with mental illness. Schizophrenia, depression, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety and bi-polar disorders were among the experiences addressed by the individuals. In simple and eloquent detail the 50 black-and-white portraits and voices draw you closer into each life by addressing and exploring many topics: family, confusion, pain, abuse, treatment and healing. These deeply personal stories take us inside complicated issues where empathy and understanding begin, and each face invites you to listen.
There is a rich history that is unique in American photography addressing social issues yet handled masterfully: Lewis Hine's photographs of 19th century children working in factories, the Farm Security Administration photographers documenting the plight of farmers during the Great Depression up to Larry Clark's Tulsa series. These were extremely difficult subjects, yet handled with ethos and dignity. Michael's work is part of that rich heritage. Michael's beautiful portraits represent textures, details and warmth that can only be conveyed through large format photography, bringing the viewer closer to the subject, closer to understanding the Fine Line between mental health and mental illness.
Each Thursday and Saturday during the Fine Line exhibition, mental health experts in the Wichita County area will present current information on various mental illnesses at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art. Saturdays will focus on mental disorders in children while Thursdays will deal primarily with adult disorders, although many disorders occur throughout the lifespan. During these two-hour weekly session and daily at the museum, experts and volunteers will be available for information and discussions of interest to parents, mental health professionals and others.
November 7, 1:30 - 3:30, Gallery 5
Eli Lilly Dual Diagnosis Lecture by Dr. Judy Graham
November 13, 8:30 - 11:00 am, Gallery 5
Fine Line Faith Leaders Breakfast
November 15, 1:00 -2:30 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Grief, Loss and Bereavement - Dr. C. Revis
November 20, 5:30-7:00 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Depression - Dr. J Dismukes
November 21, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Ethics Workshop - Michael Nye and L. Hartje
November 22, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - ADHD and ADD - Dr. H Martin
November 29, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Cutting and Self Destructive Behavior - Dr. L. Ovaert
December 4, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Substance Abuse and Addiction - Dr. H. Sanchez-Leal
December 6, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Autism and Asperger's Disorder - Dr. F. Del Rio
December 11, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Schizophrenia - Dr. B. Weick
December 12, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Dr. A Suris
December 13, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Eating Disorders - Dr. T. Fassihi
December 18, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Anxiety Disorders - Dr. A. Butera
December 20, 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Gallery 5
Fine Line Lecture - Suicide - Dr. I. Parsons
Fine Line partners in Wichita Falls are WFMA, Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Centers, Rose Street Mental Health Care, North Texas State Hospital, Midwestern State University's College of Health Sciences and Human Services, the United Way of Wichita Falls, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Red River Hospital with support from Lilly, The Priddy Foundation, Red River Recovery Center and the Wichita Falls Community Foundation. The Honorable David Farabee is serving as Honorary Chair for the exhibition.
The committee members for the Fine Line exhibition at WFMA are: Roddy Atkins, Lynn Hartje and Connie Johnston of the Helen Farabee MHMR Center, Dr. Kim Robinson of MSU, David Sabine of Rose Street Mental Health care, Tonye Shirey of the North Texas State Hospital Volunteer Services Council, Diana Phillips and Jason Brewer of the United Way, Jean Puckett of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Yvonne Downs and Lori Brewer of Red River Hospital, Jamie Davis of Red River Recovery, Cohn Drennan and Mary Helen Maskill of WFMA and Sandra K. Ross.