alcohol markers, colored pencil, ink; 20×16″
“My art should be the voice of change and bringing awareness to Religious Trauma Syndrome is the first step. While I was searching for a topic, I came across this one and knew it was what I wanted to research. I found it to be a very interesting thing. People don’t often recognize it and sometimes dismiss it. I wanted to make sure that more people got to know about what it is and how they can help. Through my research I learned more about Religious Trauma Syndrome and the things that contribute to it. RTS can lead to a person developing mental health issues such as: depression, anxiety, and PTSD. As I researched this topic, I’ve learned more and more about both the long lasting and short term affects that Religious Trauma Syndrome can have on a person. Being aware of how seriously damaging it can be to mental health, I feel like we as a society must speak up and speak out against abusive and controlling religions. Even though I don’t have any religious trauma I still find it to be a very important thing to discuss.”
ARTIST BIO: Marcus Robinson is a grade 11 student at Butler Tech School of Art studying art under art teacher Mary Catherine Ruby.