Aimee Mcmillan is a mixed-media artist creating works to end the stigma surrounding mental health. Her works are inspired by mental illness and diet culture inflicted on children and adults.

Hi Aimee! How did you arrive at the theme of your work?
The words we were given as briefs were ‘inform, engorge, express’. I instantly resonated with ‘engorge’ as the word met me with feelings of guilt and gluttony. My works represent the understanding of mental illness and the generational traumas that can play into the development of these illnesses.

How has your practice changed over time
I used to really care about what people thought about the aesthetic of my work but since I stopped looking at Pinterest artists for inspiration and conceptualised from my own ideas, my practice just kind of flourished. However, I feel like time will continually affect my practice, so we will see where it takes me.

What emotions or reactions do you hope viewers experience when they look at your work?
I want people to reevaluate their life experiences. I want to destigmatise the struggles of mental health and to speak out about issues that so many people suffer with in silence.

How do you know when a piece is complete? 
I usually hate it, at first anyway. But to answer the question, I feel like a piece is complete when it makes no sense to add anything else. When it feels raw and honest, but also refined and considered.

See more of Aimee’s work on her Instagram @trappedbatzart. Saturate Your Mind runs at Six Foot Gallery until Thursday 9th May.