On occasion of World Mental Health Day 2024, the “Bent But Not Broken Photography Exhibition” was organised at Norphei Art Gallery.
World Mental Health, which happens every year on October 10, aims to raise global awareness about mental health issues and mobilize efforts to support mental well-being. The day serves to educate the public about mental illness, reduce stigma, and promote access to mental health resources and support. It’s a day to acknowledge the millions affected by mental health issues and to encourage people to prioritise their mental health
This year, in partnership with the United Association of Mongolian Photographers and Norphei Art Gallery the Bent but not Broken photography competition and resulting exhibition was organised for the occasion of World Mental Health Day (October 10) and comprises the photographs submitted to the competition. The subject matter of the photographs all touch upon and convey the topics of mental health, psychological well-being, methods of dealing and coping with mental health, and mental health issues seen in society. From the conception of this project, our team had the aim to reach and convey to a larger audience a wide and diverse range of perspectives on the above-mentioned topics. Thus the competition was open to anyone regardless of whether they were professional or amateur photographers.
As a result of our open call, we received over 100 photographic submissions from artists all over the world including South Korea, the People’s Republic of China, Hungary, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States of America, and of course Mongolia. This variety of places of origin allowed for even more faceted interpretations of the main themes and coincided well with our goal of representing those from many different walks of life.
The exhibition features a range of styles of photography, from abstract to documentary. Many show an individual interpretation of mental health and related issues while others focus more upon current societal issues, which can and do affect the mental well-being of many. Despite the incredible work being enacted by activists, advocates, and mental health professionals the concept and topic of mental health stays largely stigmatized in many parts of the world. Bent but not Broken is a part of our contribution to destigmatizing and opening avenues for positive change, showcasing how mental health is an unavoidable and important part of our everyday lives.
Thus the goal of this exhibition is to emphasize and proudly proclaim that even though our mental health struggles may bend us, they do not break us. We can be bent, but we are not broken.
[Curatorial Text by J. Tserendulam]
Bent But Not Broken – Photography Competition
The competition was open to all professional and amateur photographers. The competition received over 100 entries from 6 countries.
The winners of the competition was announced on March 11 at the opening of the exhibition which was curated by J. Tserendulam.
The final winners of the competition were as follows:
First Place: Munkhzorig Enkhsaikhan, Mongolia
Second Place: Sanjaa Buuveibaatar, Mongolia
Third Place: Rachelle Steele, United States of America
The winners were selected by a panel of judges that comprised:
L. Jargalsaikhan – Board Member at the United Association of Mongolian Photographers
Battulga Purvee – Board Member at the United Association of Mongolian Photographers
Batbaatar Tserendorj – Board Member at the United Association of Mongolian Photographers
Ariunzaya Artbazar – Mental Health Specialist at SEEL Learning Mongolia
Jantsankhorol Erdenebayar – Independent Contemporary Artist
Sunderiya Erdenesaikhan – Curator at Norphei Art Gallery
