Artist backed by Gerard Way to release new book to honor Mental Health Awareness Month
[Photo by: Angelo Merendino]
In an effort to raise awareness for mental illness, artist Derek Hess will be honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with the release of his new book, 31 Days In May: A Visual Journey.
Read more: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson talks about his struggles with depression
In May 2017, Hess posted a daily image to his social media outlets to showcase his ongoing battle with bipolar disorder and substance abuse, and he assembled those images into 31 Days In May: A Visual Journey, a look at the link between creativity and mental health as told through Hess’ artwork.
Topics including loneliness, relationships, depression and suicide are “beautifully and painfully” depicted throughout the book in an effort to educate readers.
“As someone who has had my own struggles with mental illness and addiction, 31 Days In May by Derek Hess is exactly what is needed right now—art that explores these experiences, and shows us something human inside,” Gerard Way explains. “The very real struggle, the crushing weight—portrayed fearlessly and with Derek’s usual brand of visceral art. A must view and a must read, and a work that will continue the much-needed discussion about mental health.”
31 Days In May is over 150 pages and contains over 120 of Hess’ images with a foreword by Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Director of the Mood Disorders Program at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
In conjunction with the release, Hess announced the “31 Days In May Tour,” visiting 20-30 different locations across the United States this May. Plus, a portion of all book sales on the tour will be donated to the mental health or addiction awareness organization of the venue's choice in each city.
You can help Hess bring the “31 Days In May Tour” to the masses by contributing to the 31 Days In May Book & Tour GoFundMe here. A portion of all proceeds from GoFundMe will go to the Hope For The Day and Mental Health America organizations.
Check out the full list of cities and dates below.
Dates:
4/20 – 4/22 – Columbus, OH @ Hell City Tattoo – Book Signing
5/1 – Phoenix, AZ @ FilmBar – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/2 – San Diego, CA @ Eden Tattoo – Book Signing
5/3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Incognito Tattoo – Book Signing
5/4 – Clemente, CA @ San Clemente Tattoo – Book Signing
5/6 – San Francisco, CA @ Loved to Death – Book Signing
5/9 – Fort Myers, FL @ Howl Gallery/Tattoo – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/10 – Orlando, FL @ Rise Above Tattoo – Book Signing
5/11 – Winston-Salem, NC @ Delurk Gallery – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/12 – Augusta, GA @ 600 Broad – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/16 – Syracuse, NY @ Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/18 – Cleveland, OH @ Derek Hess Gallery – Book Signing & Gallery Show
5/20 – Fremont, NE @ The Pioneer Theater – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/21 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ Next Page Books – Book Signing
5/22 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown & Arts Bar – Film Screening, Q&A, Book Signing
5/30 – Chicago, IL @ Galerie F – Book Signing
5/31 – Findlay, OH @ Gypsy Tattoo – Book Signing
