Latunji Oni – “Escaping”
I created these images as a reflection of the struggles and challenges I experienced during an 8-month period dealing with depression. Looking back it was a dark period even though I didn’t recognize it at the time. I look back at 2017 and reflect on the sense of hopelessness I felt that year. The gradual return to doing the things I enjoyed. The guilt of having to depend on the goodwill of others. The support garnered from my faith, my friends, and most importantly my family.
It’s quite uplifting to be able to express myself creatively, to explore a side of me that I have not really focused on in quite a long time. To keep escaping the clutches of that which tries to envelop me.
Kehinde –
Fantastic. The five pictures showing your work (the face in light, the guy behind bars, the guy seated isolated in corner with people pointing phones at him, the feet with eggs and finally the folded hands) are great
These are all great representation of expressions of depression withdrawal, isolation but I love the face in the light showing breaking forth from darkness into light (freedom ). All these can be used to also express us all in the fallen human state before salvation in Christ Jesus.
I think you need to give each picture a name.
Finally, I am glad for the power to break free from depression based on your story but please note bottling up stuffs kills and only few get back to normal as against further down slide leading to mental health issues.
Again please solution is to reach out quickly in time especially where there are more than enough help for advice and counsel available to reach out waiting to help.
Again nice work.
Femi Oyeledun –
All the photos reflect someone in need of help.The first photo reveals a hand reaching out for help from darkness into light. The man walking on eggshells is definitely escaping from crashing and requires help. These photos really reflect the mood of someone in need of help.
Temitope J Adeleye –
Excellent showcase of talent. We all as humans struggle with one emotion or the other at a particular time in life and need an outlet to escape the collapsing walls. Appreciate the abstract view of enclosure and illustration of wanting to be free. Cheers creative mind!!!!! Stay healthy!!!
Dorah Onwuka –
Olatunji, I love you pictures showing man’s inner struggle with his mental health while reaching out for that forever elusive help from the system. The image of a man reaching out from his dark place towards the ring of light seem to be suggestive of how some people with mental health fall through the cracks of a politically correct policies that shackles the mental health system hence reaching out for help though surrounded by the light (Mental Health System that looks good on paper.
Image 2, walking on the eggshells, no shoes seem to be expressing fear, caution and a feeling of being trapped and controlled by forces greater than him. All around us is the expression of man’s inequalities and governmental controls of our “free will”. Reminds me of the saying” man is born free but everywhere he is in chains”.
Image 3, shows how social media is robbing us off our humanity. There is a troubled child sitting in a corner, possibly being bullied by peers or having a psychotic episode but instead of expressing compassion, the mates preferred to beam it on social media. Our world has become insensitive to the inner cry of those needing our help.
4th image, man behind bars, saddens me because it has come to symbolise the struggle of the black man against the judicial system built to keep him down, chained, bound with no voice of his own. Represents those struggling with mental health issues within the judicial system
Finally, the 5th image seem to be an agitated young person being comforted by a someone in position of support.
All these images could be speaking to how most people felt in lockdown where our will was taken from us and we couldn’t do anything about it. Could be how we struggle with our mental and emotional issues but forced to keep up appearances and carry on as normal. There is a wide range of interpretations I could find for these but hope the above hits the mark.Salute to your creativity, Olatunji Oni.
Obaloluwa Praise Oluwalofunmibi –
I may not understand art, but this states the mind and emotions of people these days. This is a masterpiece.
Dorah Onwuka –
Latunji, I love your pictures showing man’s inner struggle with his mental health while reaching out for that forever elusive help from the system. The image of a man reaching out from his dark place towards the ring of light seem to be suggestive of how some people with mental health fall through the cracks of a politically correct policies that shackles the mental health system hence reaching out for help though surrounded by the light (Mental Health System that looks good on paper.but not delivering for the individual)
Image 2, walking on the eggshells, no shoes seem to be expressing fear, caution and a feeling of being trapped and controlled by forces greater than him. All around us is the expression of man’s inequalities and governmental controls of our “free will”. Reminds me of the saying” man is born free but everywhere he is in chains”.
Image 3, shows how social media is robbing us off our humanity. There is a troubled child sitting in a corner, possibly being bullied by peers or having a psychotic episode but instead of expressing compassion, the mates preferred to beam it on social media. Our world has become insensitive to the inner cry of those needing our help.
4th image, man behind bars, saddens me because it has come to symbolise the struggle of the black man against the judicial system built to keep him down, chained, bound with no voice of his own. Represents those struggling with mental health issues within the judicial system
Finally, the 5th image seem to be an agitated young person being comforted by someone in position to support
All these images could be speaking to how most people felt in lockdown where our will and freedom was taken from us and we couldn’t do anything about it. Could be how we struggle with our mental and emotional issues but forced to keep up appearances and carry on as normal by a fast paced capitalist economy. There is a wide range of interpretations I could find for these but hope the above hits the mark.Salute to your creativity, Latunji Oni.
Lola Kehinde –
Fantastic work !
Mabel Timiebi –
Great piece
Itohan –
Amazing how the picture represents the hole of depression. The cry for help in the first picture is a stage of crying and reaching for help. Thank you for sharing your story. I pray every depressed person finds help and I hope friends and family notice the cry for help too.
Great stuff
Prof. A. Ojo –
These images represent obstacle, struggle, and light at the end of a dead road. It speaks for those longing for liberty in a gauze-like manner. Darkness tries to swallow, but hope revives the inner strength within, and gradually rekindle the deeming light to surface for sight. Never give up but rather keep up the good work as such; and keep hope alive. Nice work!