Heather Michalski

Artist statement

My work delves into the complex realities of mental health through visceral imagery that transcends verbal explanation. Each piece serves as a manifestation of feelings that often defy language—experiences that must be felt to be understood.

A self-portrait rendered in stark black and white captures the essence of PTSD; the expressionless eyes symbolize the haunting echoes of past trauma, reflecting the relentless nature of memory. In another piece, chaotic hands emerge from the canvas, embodying the sensation of a panic attack—a visceral struggle as if something within me is trying to escape yet remains trapped.

Through these explorations, I give a voice to the unspoken. My art invites viewers to confront their own emotions and experiences, fostering a sense of connection through shared understanding. By translating internal turmoil into a visual form, I am creating a space where the complexities of mental health can be felt and acknowledged, even if they can’t be articulated.

Ultimately, my work is an invitation to feel—to engage with the raw intensities of human emotions and experiences—realities that go beyond language.