The Big Anxiety Festival

In this workshop, participants will create photographic portraits through a co-creation process led by artist Paul McDonald.

Paul’s work is informed by an investigation of masculinity and mental health, and by the experience of men’s suicide.

Paul will firstly describe how he explores personal issues as an artist through the creation of photographic portraits.

Participants will then be supported in using photography as a medium to discuss their experiences of issues relating to masculinity, mental health and survival.

Paul works from his own experience with anxiety and suicide.

In two empowering group sessions, participants will create mood boards in response to a series of questions and conversations with the artist and the group. These mood boards will inspire the approach taken to the creation of a photographic portrait by the artist in collaboration with each participant.

At the end of the workshop each participant will have a unique portrait of themselves inspired by the mood boards and self-reflections of each participant, which will then be displayed for public exhibition at the Contact Sheet Gallery.

Portraits revealed on Saturday 4 November, 1pm.

Proudly supported by TWT Creative Precinct and Bridging Hope Charity Foundation.

Masculinity, self and survival.


I was engaged and commissioned by Bridging Hope Charity and the project was curated as part of 'The Big Anxiety Festival' at UNSW, Sydney Australia.


Project Information

In this workshop, participants will create photographic portraits through a co-creation process led by artist Paul McDonald.

Paul’s work is informed by an investigation of masculinity and mental health, and by the experience of men’s suicide.

Paul will firstly describe how he explores personal issues as an artist through the creation of photographic portraits.

Participants will then be supported in using photography as a medium to discuss their experiences of issues relating to masculinity, mental health and survival.

Paul works from his own experience with anxiety and suicide.

In two empowering group sessions, participants will create mood boards in response to a series of questions and conversations with the artist and the group. These mood boards will inspire the approach taken to the creation of a photographic portrait by the artist in collaboration with each participant.

At the end of the workshop each participant will have a unique portrait of themselves inspired by the mood boards and self-reflections of each participant, which will then be displayed for public exhibition at the Contact Sheet Gallery.

Portraits revealed on Saturday 4 November, 1pm.

Proudly supported by TWT Creative Precinct and Bridging Hope Charity Foundation.

Participant Portrait

Participant Portrait

Participant Portrait

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