It’s Hard... Being a Human

A visual art exhibition about navigating mental health and relationships

In this visual art exhibition, a multidisciplinary group of 12 artists explore the nuances of being a human in the world through a queer, autobiographical lens. Statistically a higher number of people in LGBTQIA+ communities experience poorer psychological wellbeing and mental health compared to other humans. The artists in the exhibition “It’s Hard... Being a Human” discuss how they navigate relationships whilst maintaining mental health in a world that excludes them from mainstream narratives.

Queer relationships aren't just romantic or sexual, but also emotional and platonic relationships shared with families, communities and one's-self. Queer life isn't always a party, but often it’s social connections and pressures that can impact a person's mental health, both constructively, negatively or somewhere in between.

The exhibition embraces a wide range of visual art media and points of view, which explore the theme with vulnerability, sincerity and a brief glimmer of dark humour.

Artists:

• Chelsea Arnott
• Arielle Bateman
• Natalie Blom
• erincox
• Keira Hudson
• Natasha Kapustic
• Saph Kerr
• Georgia Laughton
• Danni Pleming
• Amanda Santuccione
• Jessica Schwientek

Curated by Emma “Ruby” Armstrong-Porter

About Emma “Ruby” Armstrong-Porter

Emma “Ruby” Armstrong-Porter is an artist and educator who lives and works on Djaara Country. They were born in 1986 and work predominantly in chemistry-based photography, printmaking, textiles and trash. Their work discusses mental illness, environmentalism and being human. They were the co-founder of NOIR darkroom, a gallery and darkroom based in Naarm/Melbourne. Exhibiting since 2010, they were the recipient of the 2023 Noel Counihan Art Award, the 2021 Midsumma Australia Post Prize, and were a finalist in the 2020 Bowness Photography Prize, the 2023 Burnie Print Prize, the 2023 Geelong Gallery Print Award, the 2023 Iris Award and the 2023 and the 2024 National Photographic Portrait Prize. Emma has exhibited across Victoria and interstate, in ari’s, institutions and under the M80 highway at a rave. Their work is in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, a few regional galleries, as well as many private collectors.

Photo Credit: Jessica Schwientek