Nick Griffin's designs shortlisted for AGIdeas Newstar Competition 2009

A selection of Nick Griffin's designs have been shortlisted for the AGIdeas Newstar Competition as part of the AGIdeas conference held in Melbourne this year. Examples of the work can now be seen at the Melbourne Museum for the next month or so. For more information visit the Melbourne Museum Website http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/WhatsOn/ or for more information in AGIdeas visit http://www.agideas.net/.

Bipolaratic Art

L iving with Bipolar can be tough on everyone. Not only does it leave me feeling exhausted from day to day, but it also has a profound effect on my family and friends. A lot of the time they end up wearing a lot of my pain unfairly as I lump all my emotions on their already overloaded lives. From experience I have only found two ways to deal with this problem, the first is to isolate myself thus keeping all my feelings deep down bubbling away until a great explosion errupts. The other is to convert all my pain and emotions into something positive. Thus my art and my goal to educate the world on Bipolar and societys construct of the world was born.

It is true, I can't change the world. The meer thought of this is irrational in itself, however I can try to influence a few. By creating thought provoking art, emotional relfections and strong social comment, I am able to share my thoughts on the construct of the world with everyone who is prepared to listen.

In my mind, art is not about just creating images of beauty, or well executed images. It is much more than that extending in to pushing the boundaries of that which we perceive as rational and sane. Art should convey emotion, make the observer think, challenge their perception while saying something profound about the artists unique perspective on life.

My work is by no means art in the tradional sense. Most artists have a unique style and a way of expressing themselves. I have no specific style, rather the style is dictated by the message I am trying to communicate. As such, a lot of my work often looks like it has been done by different people. Perhaps this is becuase when I create a piece I can often be in a very specific state of mind. None of my pieces are the same, nor visually or the message trying to be communicated. They all act alone, and need not be viewed together in the same place or context.

To me, art and bipolar are intrinsically linked. By releasing my emotions and feelings into my artwork, I am somewhat freed of whatever weight I am carrying.

Self worth a poem written in depression

Consumption of my worth
destruction of my belief
I lie here withering,
sickness within my mind
Reflection on my self
pressure of this earth

Questions spinning wildly
I am a puppet
a tool been hurt
No direction with no belief
A man without subjection
a creature defiant of existence

Perspectives all twisted
Raging anarchy of my identity
Faithless and bent flesh
A shell nothing more

My heart splits
Aches and stretches
Beat beat beat no more
friends and family dispell
Faith and perception
I am no more

Anger swells and whirls
violent hateful words
peace is never born
rejection is my erection
My mind society's whore