I recently visited an extraordinary exhibition hosted at Hartford Artspace Gallery in Hartford, CT. From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the sheer scale of the space and the powerful art installations spread throughout the gallery. Each artist’s work was interactive, unapologetically personal, and thoughtfully designed to transform their section of the gallery into a space filled with nuance and meaning.
According to the Hartford Artspace Gallery's Facebook page, “The phrase ‘Help Me Help Me’ was a realization that our friendships and relationships have helped shape us into who we are in this moment. Over countless experiences, vulnerable conversations, loving gestures, and through sharing our ideas or creating art together, the idea that we’ve helped each other help ourselves.”
"Help Me, Help Me" is a co-curated exhibition that brings together installations by a collective of artists and friends. Each installation represents an individual’s workspace, whether literal or metaphorical, and reveals the messy, unglamorous, and deeply human environments in which art is made.
Though each artist expresses themselves differently, together their works create a shared narrative of vulnerability, connection, and survival. The show emphasizes that artists are more than their work; their lives, traumas, and grief shape their art and provide the raw context behind their creations.
'Help Me, Help Me' Flyer
Curated by Ksam Rekam & Zakk Lane
Artists: Zak Lane, Winslow St. Pierre, Thomas Johnson, Sarah Nieman, Ksam Rekam, Craig Tillman, and Amy LaBossiere
While every space was unique, they collectively explored themes of depression, grief, and loss. Many installations felt like physical manifestations of depression itself, inviting viewers to briefly step into the artists’ inner worlds. The experience was both unsettling and moving, pushing you to confront your own emotions and reflect on how depression and grief manifest in your own life.
One of the most powerful installations resembled a dark hut filled with masks. As you entered, haunting music filled the air, creating an atmosphere that mirrored the isolation of a 'depression nest'. Yet, instead of trapping you, the space encouraged meditation and self-reflection, prompting you to imagine what your own “depression world” might look like.
Overall, the exhibition was deeply impactful. It not only allowed me to connect with the emotions and struggles of the artists but also gave me space to process my own grief over the loss of my father, grandmother, and grandfather. The show has inspired me to make creative changes in my own future exhibition, particularly in how I want to invite others into a shared moment within my world.
Front view of the Hartford Artspace Gallery
