20.01.2022 - 18.06.2022

MENTAL: HEAD INSIDE

Part exhibition, part experiment, MENTAL was a welcoming place to confront societal bias and stereotypes around mental health.

Over 20 experimental projects from local and international artists and research collaborators reflected a range of different perspectives on mental health and ways of being. This was a place to explore, empathise and question what it means to be human using science, technology and creativity.

Curated in collaboration with a team of young people with input from experts and academics across the sciences and creative arts, lived experience was platformed, acknowledged and centred as expertise in navigating a theme that matters more than ever.

ALL THE EXHIBITS

Featured

The Aesthetics of Being Disappeared

Casper's Ex

Cushions?

Crowns, Trams and Millipedes

Doing Nothing with AI

Distorted Constellations

Echo

Even in Fear

Go Mental

Hello Human, Hello Machine

Isolation Chamber

Kind Words

Microbial Mood

Mirror Ritual

Portal

Respite Space

Stop the Algorithm

selfcare_4eva_2001

Thoughtforms

Wheel

Your Face is Muted

Content Warning

This exhibition contained some intense sensory experiences, confined spaces and lived experience of mental health.

Support Services

If you are struggling, please remember you are not alone, and help is available: Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800, Headspace, HealthDirect.

Meet the brains behind MENTAL

+ Expert Advisory Panel

Professor Sarah J Wilson, PhD FAHMS FASSA, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Life), Former Head, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne

Cath Roper, Consumer Academic at the Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, The University of Melbourne

Anthony WP O’Sullivan is a Melbourne poet and author

Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Professor of Psychiatry, Monash University

Tea Uglow, Google’s Creative Lab and part of Science Gallery Melbourne Leonardo committee

Jefa Greenaway, (Wailwan|Kamilaroi) Director of Greenaway Architects and Lecturer, Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne

+ Curatorial Panel

Mitch Mahoney, Indigenous (Boon Wurrung) artist who has a passion for marine biology and transdisciplinary creative practice.

Jue Theng Soo, Theatre practitioner, chemistry teacher, curious risk-taker experimenting in the banking industry

Rory Randall, Consumer Academic & Researcher

George Goodnow, Multidisciplinary artist whose work incorporates painting, sculpture, performance and the use of cardboard and other recycled materials to produce installations.

Brandon Iredale, Year 12 student and member of Science Gallery Sci Curious think-tank group

Tilly Boleyn, Head of Curatorial, Science Gallery Melbourne

Ryan Jefferies, Creative Director, Science Gallery Melbourne