Indian Artist Talks About Mental Health Using Trash In A Powerful Photo Series

Art is rarely ever meant to be plain. If a piece of art does not incite a reaction within the beholder, it is simply not art. Such is this photo series by Akansha Singh, who uses interpretive photos to highlight a larger problem related to a person’s mental health. If you can get rid of litter in your surrounding why not get rid of the litter in your head? The pictures in this series work as a metaphor for cleansing one’s mind of bad thoughts.

Akansha is the creative director and stylist of this project. The series was photographed by Abhishek Negi (@alenswork).

We got to hear her thoughts on this project more intimately in a recent chat with the artist.

What is your project called and what is it about?

My project is called How To Get Rid Of The Trash We’ve In Our Minds?

We see trash outside our homes, streets, river and basically everything. But what about the trash we have in our minds? How do we get rid of it? We always wish for detox medicines or homemade remedies to clean our minds from all the litter we carry and we can create one but, why don’t we?

‘HG loves’ the artist’s use of interpretive photography and the image of plastic trash falling off a basket on the subject’s head- cleverly conveying the idea of clearing litter from one’s mind.

Picture Credit- Abhishek Negi

What is the significance of the garments used in these pictures?

If you notice the pictures you will see the shape of the garment, which is round and has several layers of circles in it. Using this I wanted to signify the layers of toxicity we have in our minds or even how we exaggerate everything by overthinking.

The brown cloth I’ve used because just like the cotton plant it has a combination of these three colours - white, green and brown.

On how inspiration comes from the most ordinary, hardworking people

My biggest inspiration comes from coolies (porters), the unskilled native labourers in India who work non-stop. Their work takes away quality time with their families or even the time to eat food. When I look at them they seem like they’re never knackered and that is exactly who I want to be.

Can you shed some light on your creative process and the purpose behind it?

My creative process starts with me writing a lot, even small & silly stuff. My mentor suggested this great idea and since then I pass it to everyone. Just write a lot because you never know when the silliest thing can turn into something huge.

My purpose is that I want to do something unique and top-notch. I don’t want to be in a rat race where people are competing and stabbing you from behind just to get ahead of you.

Do you have a favourite piece of art of your own? Can you tell us why you love it?

My favourite piece is the Mata Hari. This is because I honestly never thought I have the potential to create something like it.

Picture Credit: Abhishek Negi

How does the basket play an important role in this series?

The basket is the most important element of this shoot. Here I’m trying to show that how we carry the burden on our heads the entire time. The trash depicts all the negative or toxic thoughts we carry inside our heads.

Get To Know Her

One song you can’t get enough of?

Chateau (Feel alright) by Djo

A project you wish you were a part of and why?

British Vogue published a cover in the ’90s with all the supermodels. To me, that’s the most iconic picture because there was something about the era and eminently the models. I mean we don’t have any supermodels nowadays, do we?

Your favourite midnight munchies?

Blue Lays or Nutella with bread and strawberries

What is your greatest vice?

Inconsistency