Sara Lynne Leo, Freeman Alley, Manhattan, NY
Artist statement: A while ago I applied for a public art job that tackled themes of mental health. I was rejected because I was told my artwork was not uplifting enough. It’s important that we understand the difference between “spreading negativity” and acknowledging pain/sadness. For this exact reason, I was excited to make this piece for the @youarenotalonemurals campaign. Their “You are not alone” slogan inspired me to create a simple yet honest depiction of what it means to share struggles of mental health. There’s nothing wrong with being positive. Combating negative thoughts with positives ones can definitely be a powerful and effective cognitive behavioral tool. But hiding your tears breeds a culture of shame, which isn’t helpful for anyone’s mental health. 🙃
Sara Lynne is a contemporary NYC street artist. Sara was trained in classical painting and film production, but is most well known for their street art which can be primarily found hidden around the five boroughs of New York. Their work is often small scale and interacts directly with city environment, offering incentive for passerbyers to notice the details of their daily commutes through the city.