Frame of Mind: Mental health and the arts

Frame of Mind: Mental health and the arts

by Danielle Neely

A National Art School Arts and Health Program

The National Art School (NAS) and Edith Cowan University (ECU) have joined forces to create Frame of Mind: Mental health and the arts, generously supported by the Minderoo Foundation.

Presented over June and July in 2021, this public program series draws in artists and experts from Western Australia and New South Wales to explore the mental health challenges faced by artists, and the ways artists engage with themes of mental health within their work.

The program features a symposium, an exhibition, artist talks, panel discussions, a publication, a student collaboration and a vlogcast series. Delivered across both states, the program content will be livestreamed and posted to this site, to support cross pollination of ideas across geographic divides.

Through collaborative conversation the outputs of this diverse program will prompt crucial reflection and discussion around mental health in the arts sector, and the importance of the arts to the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians.

VIEW THE WEBSITE

Introducing Stephanie Houghton (@stephaniejoyhoughton), this year’s graduating Drawing DFA candidate, and their selected work ‘Phantasy’.

Celebrate the future of contemporary art at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 6 November (RSVP link in bio).

Stephanie Houghton
‘Phantasy’
watercolour and graphite on watercolour paper
120 x 80 cm

Portrait Photography: Jack Rockliffe (@soybased_snack)
Artwork Photography: Peter Morgan (@petrius)

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Oct 17

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Introducing Stephanie Houghton (@stephaniejoyhoughton), this year’s graduating Drawing DFA candidate, and their selected work ‘Phantasy’.

Celebrate the future of contemporary art at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 6 November (RSVP link in bio).

Stephanie Houghton
‘Phantasy’
watercolour and graphite on watercolour paper
120 x 80 cm

Portrait Photography: Jack Rockliffe (@soybased_snack)
Artwork Photography: Peter Morgan (@petrius)

Introducing Cailyn Forrest (@cailynforrest), this year’s graduating Photomedia DFA candidate, and their selected work ‘1907202204092025 (the pile)’.

Celebrate the future of contemporary art at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 6 November (RSVP link in bio).

Cailyn Forrest
‘‘1907202204092025 (the pile)’
silver gelatin prints on various substrates, dark room trays
20 x 51 x 41 cm

Portrait Photography: Jack Rockliffe (@soybased_snack)
Artwork Photography: Peter Morgan (@petrius)

View Instagram post by nas_au

Oct 17

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Introducing Cailyn Forrest (@cailynforrest), this year’s graduating Photomedia DFA candidate, and their selected work ‘1907202204092025 (the pile)’.

Celebrate the future of contemporary art at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 6 November (RSVP link in bio).

Cailyn Forrest
‘‘1907202204092025 (the pile)’
silver gelatin prints on various substrates, dark room trays
20 x 51 x 41 cm

Portrait Photography: Jack Rockliffe (@soybased_snack)
Artwork Photography: Peter Morgan (@petrius)

The National Art School is proud to present The Postgrad Show, celebrating the work of our graduating Master of Fine Art (MFA) and Doctor of Fine Art (DFA) students.

RSVP today to join us for the Opening Night on Thursday 6 November (link in bio)

Opening Night: Thursday 6 November (RSVP link in bio)
Exhibition dates: 7 – 16 November 2025

Experience a compelling cross-section of contemporary practice through ceramics, drawing, painting, photomedia, printmaking, and sculpture across NAS Galleries, Building 25 Project Space, and artist studios.

Details about The Grad Show showcasing the work of our graduating BFA cohort will be announced mid-November.

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Oct 16

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The National Art School is proud to present The Postgrad Show, celebrating the work of our graduating Master of Fine Art (MFA) and Doctor of Fine Art (DFA) students.

RSVP today to join us for the Opening Night on Thursday 6 November (link in bio)

Opening Night: Thursday 6 November (RSVP link in bio)
Exhibition dates: 7 – 16 November 2025

Experience a compelling cross-section of contemporary practice through ceramics, drawing, painting, photomedia, printmaking, and sculpture across NAS Galleries, Building 25 Project Space, and artist studios.

Details about The Grad Show showcasing the work of our graduating BFA cohort will be announced mid-November.

Mitch Cairns is one of our talented NAS alumni whose work will be up for auction at the upcoming NAS Gala, Friday 21 November, and we were lucky enough to preview the work in his studio.

Buy your ticket for the NAS Gala at the link in bio for a chance to add a special artwork to your collection. Limited tickets available.

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Oct 15

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Mitch Cairns is one of our talented NAS alumni whose work will be up for auction at the upcoming NAS Gala, Friday 21 November, and we were lucky enough to preview the work in his studio.

Buy your ticket for the NAS Gala at the link in bio for a chance to add a special artwork to your collection. Limited tickets available.

RSVP now - final tickets remaining!

Join us this Thursday for `Afterglow`, The Neighbour at the Gate exhibition closing party (link in bio).

Headlined by Miss Kaninna, the free 18+ concert features performances by HYLANDER, Rocky Stallone, BRINA, Kuya Hennessy, and DJ Court Jester. RSVP is essential due to limited capacity of the Cell Block Theatre.

Afterglow
Thursday 16 October
Doors: 4.30pm
Concert starts: 7.00pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

Please note: if the Cell Block reaches capacity, you’re welcome to enjoy the concert from the courtyard with food trucks and pop up bar until space opens up inside.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Oct 13

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RSVP now - final tickets remaining!

Join us this Thursday for 'Afterglow', The Neighbour at the Gate exhibition closing party (link in bio).

Headlined by Miss Kaninna, the free 18+ concert features performances by HYLANDER, Rocky Stallone, BRINA, Kuya Hennessy, and DJ Court Jester. RSVP is essential due to limited capacity of the Cell Block Theatre.

Afterglow
Thursday 16 October
Doors: 4.30pm
Concert starts: 7.00pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

Please note: if the Cell Block reaches capacity, you’re welcome to enjoy the concert from the courtyard with food trucks and pop up bar until space opens up inside.

‘A beautiful place to be with a moving story underneath’
‘Eye opening and very very thoughtful’
‘[This show] evokes feelings of acceptance and peace’
– quotes from NAS Gallery visitor feedback

Last week to visit `The Neighbour at the Gate`! - closing next Saturday 18 October. Visit link in bio to learn more about the exhibition and plan your visit to see the exhibition everyone is talking about.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Oct 11

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‘A beautiful place to be with a moving story underneath’
‘Eye opening and very very thoughtful’
‘[This show] evokes feelings of acceptance and peace’
– quotes from NAS Gallery visitor feedback

Last week to visit 'The Neighbour at the Gate'! - closing next Saturday 18 October. Visit link in bio to learn more about the exhibition and plan your visit to see the exhibition everyone is talking about.