linocut print; 10×8”
“This artwork explores mental health as a social justice issue, emphasizing how financial barriers and stigma prevent many people from receiving proper care. Mental health is significant in my own life, as many people around me, including myself, struggle with it. Today, countless individuals face mental‑health challenges, yet many cannot afford treatment or access supportive resources. My piece depicts a girl at the bottom reaching upward for help, blocked by a wall of money that symbolizes the financial obstacles to care. Inspired by Jean‑Michel Basquiat and Barbara Kruger, I combined Basquiat’s expressive, chaotic style with Kruger’s bold contrast to distinguish the subjects and convey emotional tension. The artwork invites viewers to see themselves within the scene and reflect on their own experiences with mental health, privilege, or barriers to support. Ultimately, the piece aims to spark empathy and awareness of the inequities surrounding mental‑health access.”
ARTIST BIO: Juliet LAIN is a grade 11 student at Summit Country Day School studying art under art teacher Carrie Barnett.