A two-day exhibition held in Hanoi last weekend featured an art exhibition, musical performance, and discussion, all aimed at bringing mental illness amongst youth out from the shadows.

Hosted by the 25 O’Clock art collective, the 'Void - Deficient' exhibition consisted of 32 paintings depicting the different emotional and mental conditions experienced by each work’s creator.

Works such as 'Confused,' 'Rotten,' 'Broken,' and 'Living Hell' were featured as a means of conveying the mental struggle faced by many young Vietnamese through imagery, rather than words.

'Glitch,' a painting by Khanh Uyen featured at the exhibition, portrays a girl with a troubled expression meant to represent the artist’s inner feelings and confusion.

Uyen, along with the artists behind the other 31 works, shared that painting can serve as an important therapeutic treatment for dealing with emotional issues. 

Painting, they say, allows them to draw out their emotions and find a source of inner strength and healing which allow them to cope with their internal struggles.

25 O’Clock is a group of over 40 young artists who focus on presenting their inner worlds through art and paintings.

In addition to the art exhibition, 25 O’Clock also organized a small musical show during last week’s event, where Uyen performed her own song Self, a story of how she has overcome her own mental and emotional problems.

The group was founded by Nguyen Thi Tram Anh, a 12th grader at Vietnam Australia International School in Hanoi, about six months ago.

Now, the group has four core members and 40 contributors, all university and high school students in the capital.

Anh said the grouping was founded as a means to help others who are experiencing issues with their own mental health.

She hopes the group can serve as a support system for those struggling with similar issues.

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