Paisley Fried

Department: Man and Communication
Website: paisleyfried.com

Somatic Symptoms

What: A translation of personal and gathered experiences of the physical symptoms and sensations brought on by depression and anxiety disorders, using textiles and clothing to create sensory simulations.

Why: To create a visual and tangible understanding of the hidden physical symptoms of mental illness. These sensations can be all-consuming to the individual experiencing them, yet they are rarely manifest, making them hard to comprehend as an outside observer.

How: Paisley Fried designed pieces around areas where symptoms manifest: stomach, chest, arms, throat and head. They simulate incessant tingling and build-up of energy, excessive weight, dragging, separation of body and skin, waves of heat and tension, sensations of suffocation, smothering and discomfort within your skin.

“To experience and validate the physical sensations of mental illness”