Our Exhibition

We created an exhibition as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2023 around the theme of 'revolution'

Digital collage

False Utopia

Patient Diagnosis: 

F33.3 - Major depression with psychosis

The Rat Park experiment, conducted by Bruce K. Alexander in the 1970s, showed that a rat's environment and social interactions significantly impact drug use. Rats kept in isolated cages would choose morphine-laced water over tap water, whereas rats in an enriched, social environment were significantly more likely to choose the plain water.

 

This collage piece draws inspiration from the Rat Park experiment while commenting on current practices within the field of psychology. It imagines a conversation between two psychologists who, instead of setting up a utopian park, have chosen to tell the rats that their tangible problems are only perceived and are confused by their lack of response to this treatment.

 

It is intended to poke fun at psychological practices that treat patients similarly and expect their mental health to improve, pointing out the limitations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as well as the consequences of prioritising convenience and efficiency over the welfare of patients.

Please note: The diagnosis used does not necessarily reflect a psychiatric diagnosis received by the artist. These were included to reflect the current practice of labelling and how these relate to lived-experience.

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