“Mentally ill but still a Human Being”
series 2003-2004 by Jennifer Maroney Daly

This series is an exploration of mental illness and it’s effects on families, including my own. Often on the outside these families appear completely normal and happy, yet they hide a secret that tears them up inside. Vintage advertisements from magazines I collected were the perfect images to convey this joyful and innocent facade. I then began to come across more and more articles about mental illness, and it was as if the people in these long-forgotten pages were begging me to tell their story.

I strove to create a painting style that was akin to a rough sketch, with a very unrestrained feeling to it. But beneath this glossy surface image of unfettered happiness, I also wanted to convey a sense of sadness and fear. Experimenting with transfer processes enabled me to decay and age the advertisements. The muted, soft-hued colors and charming images combine to express the hope that someday things will get better.

This was my first art show at Williamsburg’s Iona pub. See selections from the show above. Many of the works are still for sale and a portion of the proceeds will go to NAMI, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. E-Mail Jen for more information.