Open Up

A series of illustrations commissioned by Meta Open Arts to commemorate World Mental Health Month. Owen's delicate and meticulously constructed paper illustrations take a gentle and empathetic perspective toward the often-invisible struggles that affect mental health.

These illustrations were centered around various themes, including Talk About It, Switching Off, Telling My Story, The Path Twists and Turns, Neurodiversity and Metamorphosis. Each of these represent small, simple actions that can be taken to build resilience and eliminate the shame and stigma often associated with mental health struggles.

The final artworks were handcrafted in the studio out of layers of coloured paper, inspired by traditional print techniques, and then brought to life by animator Alex Purcell.

Longlisted – World Illustration Awards
Shortlisted – 102nd Art Director's Club Awards


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Tasked with representing a series of quotes related to mental health, I created a series of abstract artworks, playing with flowing overlapping layers and colours to represent the feelings and struggles that many of us go through.