Stigmatized: The African-American Male and Schizophrenia Artwork by Michael Coppage

Presented by Southeast, Inc.

Coppage originally from Chicago, Ill and now resides in Cincinnati Ohio working at a behavioral health care center for people that have mental illness. He studied at Memphis College of Art and obtained a BFA degree with an emphasis in sculpture. He continued his education and obtained an MFA degree from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts with an emphasis in sculpture.

Stigmatized: The African-American Male and Schizophrenia is a series of drawings by the artist. "I have been working on this series of drawings for two years attempting to capture the spirit of apathy, anger and fear I have witnessed working with young African-American men who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder and Psychotic Disorder.

I view Schizophrenia as a terminal illness with symptoms that carriers struggle to control their entire lives. The need to fit in and "be normal" is often the biggest barrier to medication adherence and routine mental health treatment for the young African-American male population diagnosed with a mental illness. The fear of being stigmatized in some cases is scarier than being shot at or robbed at gun point for a majority of the young men I have had the opportunity to work with. This reality and these men inspired this body of art work."

"The majority of my drawings are "busts" or sculptural portraits of African-American men created using soft pastels. Historically, portrait sculpture was used to capture civic virtues of the time or to spread religious or political propaganda. In this series the bust is used to spread awareness and bring attention to populations struggling with mental illness.

Please join us for the artist's opening reception on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Fresh A.I.R. Gallery. The exhibition will run through March 30. The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fresh A.I.R. Gallery is located at 131 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery's mission is to exhibit the works of these individuals affected by mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. Through art, we educate the community and work to break down the stigma of mental illness by bringing focus to the artistic vision.

February 15, 2012 - January 1, 1970

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