The document examines how art can support coping with challenging emotional experiences, such as toxic relationships and mental health issues, highlighting works by artists like Kevin Corrado, Cindy Sherman, and Tsoku Maela. It emphasizes the potential of symbolism and storytelling in art to address difficult themes and provide emotional expression. The author concludes that engaging with these artists has inspired confidence in exploring their own artistic concepts surrounding mental health and emotional pain.

1. Coping through art

2. The
definition
of…
Coping occurs in the
context of life
changes that are
perceived to be
stressful.
COPING

3. My Sustained Study Thesis
How can art help us cope through toxic relationships,
mental illness, and guilt? Although we constantly see
toxic relationships and mental illness through art
superficially portrayed, I believe with symbolism
and story making, art can explore abuse, guilt, and
cries for help.

4. Important Concepts and/or Terms
● Physical abuse
● Mental abuse
● Guilt
● Loss of one’s self
● Fear
● False love
● The portrayal of battle between mind and emotion
● Dissociation

5. Creative
Mind
Map

6. Kevin
Corrado
❖ Fine art photographer
➢ Born in Bridgeport , CT, United States
in 1992
■ Has a BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts,
in graphic design
■ Shintaro Akatsu School of Design
❖ Surrealism
❖ “Inspired by new artists that try new
things, or simply by images he finds in
the internet.”
❖ “I'm just like you. We are all artists who
love expressing our visions through
photography".
➢ Very humble

7. GIRL WITH THE PINK
HAIR
Kevin Corrado, girl with the pink
hair, 2016, Painting/Oil on wood,
16 W x 23.5 H x 0.3 D in, United
States

8. UNTITLED, EDITION #4 OF 12 PHOTOGRAPH
Kevin Corrado, untitled, 2013, Paper/Color, 24 W x 24 H x 0.1 D in, United states

9. Cindy Sherman
❖ Model, photographer, and director
➢ Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, on
January 19, 1954
■ State University of New York,
Buffalo
❖ Began her career with black-and-white
photograph, transitioned to color film in
early 1980s
❖ Contemporary master of socially critical
photography
❖ Recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship in
1995.
➢ Received an honorary doctorate
degree from Royal College of Art,
London, in 2013
❖ “What I didn’t want were pictures
showing strong emotions, which was
rare to see in film stills, there's a lot of
overreacting because they’re trying to
sell the movie.”

10. UNTITLED FILM STILL #12
Cindy Sherman, untitled film still #12, 1978, Gelatin silver print, 7 1/2 × 9 7/16" (19.1 × 24 cm), New York

11. UNTITLED FILM STILL #30
Cindy Sherman, untitled film still #30, 1979, Gelatin silver print, 6 13/16 × 9 1/2" (17.3 × 24.1 cm), New York

12. Tsoku Maela
❖ Conceptual photographer
➢ Born on March 29, 1989 in
Lebowakgomo, South Africa
➢ BA, bachelor in arts, in AFDA,
Africa Film Drama Art
❖ In 2014, began the practice of self-
portraiture
➢ Focused on themes such as
mental health, spirituality, and
political topics
❖ Hopes his works can help viewers
understand, “nothing is inherently
wrong with you as a person”.
❖ His works still push the boundaries
and touch on topics that are usually
pushed up the rug

13. WHEN I WAS APART
Tsoku Maela, when I was apart, 2016, camera/editing, N/A, Cape Town

14. RAGE REGRET RETURN
Tsoku Maela, rage regret return, 2016, camera/editing, N/A, Cape Town

15. My Sustained
Study 1

16. Impact my research has on
my work
My work explores my thesis because this piece allows me to show emotion
that is usually hard to talk about. The pain of losing one’s self and having
to look towards harm in order to feel. It’s something not many can fully
explain which is something I wanted to put into art.
As for the future, I’m going to definitely stay between photography and
art. I feel there are somethings even photos can’t explain compared to art.
I do see some challenges such as getting my concept out there but I’m
confident I can do it.
Some other challenges are staying connected to a piece. Since my piece of
completely different to how I actually planned it at first, I’m positive I will
see more situations like that in my next piece.

17. Conclusion
Slide
Had it not been for the works on Kevin Corrado, Cindy Sherman, and Tsoku
Maela, I wouldn’t have seen the different point of views of each topic I am trying
to explore in my concept. These artists have allowed me to view different ideas,
explorations, and concepts for my pieces. I also think some of these photos I
would also like to create but creating it into my own. Though I am already
concerned with how exactly I am going to do pieces but with these artists, I am
confident that I will be able to explore my concept.
Please feel free to ask questions

18. Any Questions?
Cindy

19. Bibliography (MLA Format)
Kevin Corrado
Mendez, Mia. “Kevin Corrado.” Saatchi Art, www.saatchiart.com/kevincorrado.
Mendez, Mia. “Girl with the Pink Hair Painting.” Saatchi Art,
https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Girl-With-The-Pink-Hair/515052/3306670/view.
Mendez, Mia. “Untitled, Edition #4 of 12 Photograph.” Saatchi Art,
https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Photography-Untitled-Edition-4-of-12/515052/1737178/
view.
Katsikari, Konstantina. “Kevin Corrado.” Zoom In, 2013,
https://saycheesekk.weebly.com/weekly-posts/kevin-corrado.
“Kevin Corrado - about Kevin Corrado, Biography, Exhibitions and More.” Artfinder, Feb.
2014, www.artfinder.com/artist/kevin-corrado/about/#/.
Cleveland Clinic. “Stressors: Coping Skills and Strategies.” Cleveland Clinic, 24 Nov. 2020,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6392-stress-coping-with-lifes-stressors#:~:text=Coping%20occurs
%20in%20the%20context,require%20some%20sort%20of%20adaptation.

20. Bibliography (MLA Format)
Cindy Sherman
“Cindy Sherman: Artist Profile.” NMWA, 28 May 2020, https://nmwa.org/art/artists/cindy-sherman/.
Falconer, Morgan. “Cindy Sherman Photography, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story,
https://www.theartstory.org/artist/sherman-cindy/#pnt_3.
Tate. “Cindy Sherman Born 1954.” Tate, 1 Jan. 1975, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/cindy-sherman-1938.
Seliger, Mark. Cindy Sherman. New York.
“Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #12. 1978: Moma.” The Museum of Modern Art,
https://www.moma.org/collection/works/56571.
“Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #30. 1979: MOMA.” The Museum of Modern Art,
https://www.moma.org/collection/works/56687.
“Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #17. 1978: Moma.” The Museum of Modern Art,
www.moma.org/collection/works/56596.

21. Bibliography (MLA Format)
Tsoku Maela
Johanson, Christabel. “Mental Health in Black Art.” AFRICANAH.ORG, 7 Sept. 2020, africanah.org/mental-health-in-black-art/.
Hunkin, Jessica. “Tsoku Maela: The Difficult Conversations Are the Ones We Need to Have.” Between 10 and 5, 11 Feb. 2021,
10and5.com/2016/06/16/tsoku-maela-the-difficult-conversations-are-the-ones-we-need-to-have/.
Pesantes, Emilia. “Seeing the Invisible.” Musée Magazine, Musée Magazine, 26 Oct. 2020, museemagazine.com/features/2020/1/22/seeing-the-
invisible.
Arty, African. “Tsoku Maela.” Tsoku Maela - 28 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy, www.artsy.net/artist/tsoku-maela#:~:text=Born%20on
%20March%2029%20in,motivations%20through%20dialogue%20and%20a.
Phala, Mbali. “Photographer Battles His Own Demons to Create a Visual Diary of Mental Illness.” The Daily Vox, 9 Oct. 2020,
www.thedailyvox.co.za/photographer-tsoku-maela-mental-health-abstract-peaces-depression-anxiety/.
Matroos, Jamie. “Abstract Peaces: Redefining Mental Illness.” Design Indaba, 26 Mar. 2019,
www.designindaba.com/articles/creative-work/abstract-peaces-redefining-mental-illness.
https://abstractpeaces.tumblr.com/
TEAM, GUP. “Abstract Peaces.” GUP Magazine, 18 Mar. 2021, gupmagazine.com/portfolios/abstract-peaces/.
Dee, Christa. “Tsoku Maela – Visual Storytelling - Bubblegum Club.” Bubblegum Club -, 26 Sept. 2018, bubblegumclub.co.za/photography/tsoku-
maela-visual-storytelling/.