This body of work represents a meticulous self-examination, offering insights into my identity and the profound connection I share with the art of photography and the struggles I face with mental health. Growing up I spent most of my time in my room, wherein loneliness pervaded both within and beyond its walls. Family failed to provide solace; instead, it became a source of stress, anxiety, and a prevailing sadness. Often unspoken in my family, my mother's battle with clinical depression cast a shadow that took years to fully comprehend. I saw her lose more and more of herself, becoming less and less a person I understood. When you are young you think of it as if your mother is just a little sad or different, so it makes sense that you also are – a little sad sometimes. As I navigated through adolescence, I internalized this environment, initially perceiving it as occasional melancholy. However, with time, I grappled with my own struggles with depression, realizing the profound impact it had on me.

As I grew older, and my frustration of the situation grew, I found myself hiding in my room for days, hours and years, buried with my head down in this sand prison. I just felt sad all the time. I felt like there was no escape. Frustration mounted, leading me to seek refuge in my room, where the camera evolved into a sanctuary. Within the quietude of that space, alongside everyday objects, I discovered solace in narrating my story through still life. Photography metamorphosed into a personalized coded language, facilitating the externalization of my inner dialogue more effectively than interpersonal communication.

Despite physical distancing from that room over the years, the weight of that sadness endures. Photography, once an escape, has now become a burdensome companion. The absence of photographic expression leaves me despondent, and when I do engage in photography, my images echo the pervasive cloud of sadness hanging above me. "Why am I Sad?" embarks on an exploration of my intricate relationship with photography and the world observed through my camera's lens. It poses an open-ended question, not with the intent of providing a definitive answer, but in the hope of rediscovering comfort within the medium.

This introspective journey delves into the complex interplay between mental health and artistic expression. The camera, once a means of solace, now bears witness to the struggles encapsulated in each frame. It serves as both a confidant and an adversary, capturing the nuanced happiness and sadness. Each click of the shutter resonates with the echoes of my inner turmoil, frozen in film emulsion, reflecting a silent moment that demands recognition.

As I navigate these emotions, the project assumes a broader cultural significance, transcending personal narratives to engage with the universal discourse on mental health. The visual diary created through photography becomes a testament to the transformative power of art, revealing layers of vulnerability, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of meaning. It underscores the importance of acknowledging mental health challenges within the social context and highlights the role of artistic expression as a vehicle for healing and understanding.

Dana Stirling is a fine art photographer and the Co-Founder & Editor of Float Photo Magazine since 2014. Dana is currently based in Queens, New York. She earned her MFA in Photography, Video, and Related Media from The School Of Visual Arts in 2016, following her earlier BA in Photographic Communications from Hadassah College Jerusalem in 2013. Dana's work has been prominently featured in group exhibitions in the United States and internationally, including reputable venues such as Candela Books + Gallery, Panopticon Gallery, William Paterson University, Lafayette College, Inga Gallery, Tel Hai Museum of Photography, and Saatchi Gallery. Her photography has gained recognition in various publications, including Buzzfeed, C41 Magazine, Humble Arts Foundation, Musée Magazine, One Twelve Magazine, She Shoots Film Magazine, FishEye Paris, European Photography Magazine, The Week Photo Blog, Feature Shoot, Hyperallergic, PetaPixel, It’s Nice That, Fast Co. Design, Lensculture, Der Grief Magazine,Lenscratch, The Telegraph Newspaper, and others.

For more information:
Visit: www.danastirling.com
Read the interview with Dana Stirling