Who we are & why we are

Welcome to the gallery site of Broken Light Collective. We are artists of all levels and abilities who are affected by mental illness. We create and we share our work for the therapeutic benefits to us, as well as others who may be struggling and feeling scared and alone. Together we can move from disconnected to collective.

Please say a warm hello to first-time contributor Toby Upson, an 18-year-old man from England. Last year, Toby was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. His condition was so severe that at one point he was rushed to a hospital where he was given two days to live. Luckily, his body managed to stabilize and he eventually was transferred to a hospital that specialized in mental health. It was there that he began using art as a distraction and coping tool.

About this photo: “I’m currently working on a series of images that relate to ‘identity and perfection.’ These photo-grams are from that series. They are original sewn drawings of the ‘perfect’ male body, but they work so much better as photo-grams. They show the pain and disorder of what perfection can be. I find them ghostly, disfigured, and also painful. I find the images strong and I hope that they engage the viewer, make them think, and make them challenge their view of male perfection and what it means to be perfect.”

Find more from Toby at his blog.

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**Visit Broken Light’s main gallery here. Currently accepting submissions.

*Facebook & Twitter @BrokenLighCo & @DanielleHark. Follow for e-mail notifications.


6 responses to “Chasing Perfection”

  1. Rajiv Avatar

    Wooow… Awesome

    Like

  2. Susan Thompson Avatar
    Susan Thompson

    My word is AWESOME too. These images reach across age and gender; very poignant and deeply moving. An image that invites contemplation, reflection, questions. Thank you so much

    Like

  3. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    So much pain goes into the body. Thank you very much for these evocative images.

    Like

  4. charlieeasterfield Avatar

    These photo-grams really resonate with me, I love them.

    Like

  5. toby upson art Avatar

    Thank you so much for the comments, so happy people like them

    Like

  6. Paula McLane Jennings Avatar

    very unusual photos!

    Like

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