Artist Statement
SafeSpace
By: Kendal Gibbons
SafeSpace
By: Kendal Gibbons
This artwork celebrates the vibrancy and resilience of Black and Brown communities while
highlighting the often-unseen challenges they face in mental health. Research from the National
Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that a significant proportion of minorities, especially
among older demographics, perceive mental health as a sign of personal weakness. Statistics
indicate that Black people are far less likely to seek care, with about 25% of African Americans
seeking mental health help compared to 40% of white Americans. Unequal access to healthcare
is a major contributor to this disparity.
highlighting the often-unseen challenges they face in mental health. Research from the National
Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that a significant proportion of minorities, especially
among older demographics, perceive mental health as a sign of personal weakness. Statistics
indicate that Black people are far less likely to seek care, with about 25% of African Americans
seeking mental health help compared to 40% of white Americans. Unequal access to healthcare
is a major contributor to this disparity.
In my Design, Arts, and Technology capstone project, I collaborated with Denisa Hobbs, a
licensed clinical social worker and therapist, to create a "Safe Space." Our initiative aimed to
establish a digital platform where the voices of Black and Brown individuals could flourish. This
platform facilitates transformative storytelling, promotes research-backed interventions, and
serves as a resource hub, helping individuals find safe spaces and access relevant resources. It
seeks to foster healing and personal growth by nurturing healthier relationships with oneself,
significant others, and beyond.
licensed clinical social worker and therapist, to create a "Safe Space." Our initiative aimed to
establish a digital platform where the voices of Black and Brown individuals could flourish. This
platform facilitates transformative storytelling, promotes research-backed interventions, and
serves as a resource hub, helping individuals find safe spaces and access relevant resources. It
seeks to foster healing and personal growth by nurturing healthier relationships with oneself,
significant others, and beyond.
Utilizing industry-standard tools such as Squarespace for website creation, Canva for brand
guidelines, Illustrator for logo design, Premiere Pro for commercial production, and Figma for
app development. Additionally, I utilized a Sony A7III and Canon Rebel T7 with a 50 mm lens
for capturing professional headshots, ensuring authenticity and relatability in our visual
representation.
guidelines, Illustrator for logo design, Premiere Pro for commercial production, and Figma for
app development. Additionally, I utilized a Sony A7III and Canon Rebel T7 with a 50 mm lens
for capturing professional headshots, ensuring authenticity and relatability in our visual
representation.
My commitment to this design as a catalyst for societal change permeates every aspect of this
endeavor. As "Safe Space" launches during mental health awareness month, my aspiration is for
it to become a conduit for meaningful dialogue, healing, and empowerment within marginalized
communities.
endeavor. As "Safe Space" launches during mental health awareness month, my aspiration is for
it to become a conduit for meaningful dialogue, healing, and empowerment within marginalized
communities.