Kylie Shaw Williams Creates Powerful Photos to Advance an Important Conversation
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five Americans live with mental illness (1)–that's 52.9 million people and it will be much higher worldwide. Mental illness is very much a blanket term, and the topic is way more nuanced, which is why it’s important to have conversations about the experiences people have. We can talk through words and other means; we can also talk through photography and art, which is exactly what the photographer Kylie Shaw Williams is doing.
Photographically speaking, mental illness is an extremely difficult topic to tackle. Communicating what it means to experience any form of illness, through still images only, requires a certain approach that allows the viewer to connect to the message the photographer is sending. When I saw Williams’ latest series, I felt an instant connection to a sense of feeling trapped, wanting to be free of the mind, yet struggling to find a way out.
I immediately knew this photographer from Columbia had a special gift; a gift that could help move forward a conversation that’s remained stagnated for way too long. This particular body of work was no fluke either. Williams has covered the topic of mental illness before, doing so with such empathetic and powerful conviction.
Recently, I saw a photo of Williams, standing proud as another incredible series hung on the walls of an exhibition. The point here isn’t only that Williams is clearly a skilled photographer, but that she’s also breaking through and shaping a sensitive and essential conversation. She’s using art to offer value to the world, to help change it and move society forward. We love that here at Them Frames.
While the images send a powerful message by themselves, we wanted to catch up with Williams and understand the driving motivation behind the work she creates.
It feels crass to encourage you to enjoy the interview, considering the subject matter. However, if you connect to it, we hope it gives you some validation for your personal journey and the confidence that society is moving forward, providing everyone with a space to discuss their issues free from judgment.
Them Frames: Hello Kylie! Let’s go back in time a little bit. Why do you feel your photographic work began to gravitate towards topics like mental illness/health?
Kylie Shaw Williams: Hi there! I think my work has naturally gravitated towards talking about more intense topics such as mental illness because I am passionate about it. I feel like mental illness is something that, when you struggle with it, you learn that it isn't something that magically goes away, you learn to evolve with it.
That allows for my work to grow with me and the conversation is never-ending. There are always new ways to approach the topic as we grow and that's why I visit it quite frequently.
Them Frames: For those unaware, tell us about your first exhibition on mental illness. What was the objective of the work?
Kylie Shaw Williams: My first series, 'Walk a Day in my Shoes,' was about a range of different mental illnesses and disorders. The photos displayed shoes being held in front of the face of the subject. I wanted the faces to be hidden so people viewing the piece could envision and immerse themselves in the subject's position and feelings. The goal was to bring awareness to how debilitating mental illness is and how it is so often dismissed and minimized.
Them Frames: Your latest series was also exhibited. Why was it the right time to revisit the topic of mental illness through photography?
Kylie Shaw Williams: I am in a very different place in my life since my first series was exhibited. I am able to approach topics like self-harm, eating disorders, and mental illness from a new perspective. I can dive a lot deeper into the issues and I'm more open to allowing the emotions to resurface because I know that I can overcome them and have done a lot of healing since.
Them Frames: Was the exhibition at the same venue as the first? Can you tell us where it was and how it came to fruition, please?
Kylie Shaw Williams: The two were at different venues! 'Walk a Day in my Shoes' was shown at the end of a photography intensive program I did at The School of Art Institute in Chicago, during the summer prior to my senior year of high school, in one of their gallery spaces.
'Self-Inflicted' was displayed in Kansas City and was a part of an annual event I created as a result of the pandemic. It started in 2021 as Art Locked Down and showcased the work that artists created during that time. I put it on with my friend, Amanda Debevec, who is an amazing event planner!
This year, I partnered with Adam Bilah, owner of 610 Creatives in the Crossroads District of KC, where we put on the show! The mission of the event is to give local artists a chance to have their work in gallery spaces and to connect with the community. My hope is to continue the event, partner with even more talented people, and take it to many different places around the world!
Them Frames: Please can you compare the two series? How was the experience of creating the work and how do you feel about the development of each of them?
Kylie Shaw Williams: For my first series, since I was participating in a program, I had a lot more guidance from my teacher and peers, as well as the initial push to get started. I was able to get suggestions and had critiques along the way, whereas with my most recent work, it was one of my personal projects so I had to initiate and carry out the process from beginning to end. I really appreciate both opportunities because they provide different ways to grow as an artist.
Them Frames: Your latest series was a little more dynamic, in a sense, you combined photography with physical props (rope.) What was the reason for this?
Kylie Shaw Williams: The concept of mixing media and using physical aspects to bring 2D works to life is fascinating to me. I love the way it challenges me and I feel like it brings a little more life to my work.
With pieces like these where my goal is to connect with people's more intense and deep emotions, that physical feature is often the link. I have used red string in past pieces of mine that also discussed mental illness, so that symbolism was already established for me which helped create the idea for using it as a physical prop in a display.
Them Frames: Mental illness is still a polarizing topic. What role, through photography, would you like to play when it comes to advancing the conversation?
Kylie Shaw Williams: Art is a very important part of everyday human life and recently I have found that the visual arts have had one of the biggest impacts on me and how I interact with the world. When you see a representation of yourself and the things you go through, it unconsciously creates a community.
That's why, with my photography and videography, I want to be that conversation starter to connect with others who feel similarly and create a safe place for that discussion to be held. I want to inspire artists to use their work to keep their voices heard and be the voice for others.
Them Frames: Because of the sensitivity of the topic, how do you keep your mind healthy even when you’re working on a series that is mentally tasking and which may bring up some personal wounds/feelings?
Kylie Shaw Williams: With shoots like these, it's really important that everyone is fully prepared and we have created that connection so we can work on something so personal. I take extra time to discuss with those involved exactly what the concept is and make sure that they are comfortable and feel heard too.
During the shoot, breaks are essential to check in with myself and others, as well as respecting any feelings that do come up and being gentle with yourself in the process.
To be able to do these types of projects, I have some everyday steps I take to take care of myself, such as reading and keeping up with a personal routine. I am still finding new ways of self-care all the time and that's been part of the fun!
Them Frames: Going back to the aesthetic of your most recent series. Please tell us how you came up with the concept of the photographs, a little about the subject in the images, and what message you would hope the viewer will receive.
Kylie Shaw Williams: All of the subjects in my photographs regarding mental illness/health are my personal friends, some new and some very close. My model for my most recent series was my beautiful friend, Maude Voltmer. She is a long-time friend of mine who has had a huge impact on my healing process and I felt very special to be someone she felt comfortable enough with to let me photograph her in such a vulnerable state.
For my first series, I was photographing people I had just met, which was a really amazing experience for me, especially at that time in my life, because it taught me that other people have similar experiences and mental illness is more universal than we think it is when we are in that lonely mindset.
I read a quote recently that really inspired me, "Art should disturb the comforted and comfort the disturbed." I often get really nervous sharing such personal work but it's important as a storyteller to tell real stories and sometimes real stories can bring up uncomfortable emotions.
Testing those internal and external boundaries is what starts a conversation. It's also really amazing to hear all the ways people perceive my pieces and how everyone can see their own stories in my work even if it's different from mine.
Them Frames: When you think about the moment you have an idea for a series, then fast forward to seeing it on the walls of an exhibition, how does it make you feel?
Kylie Shaw Williams: When I have a concept in my head that involves multi-media, the first thing I usually envision is the physical aspect or design of the display before I come up with the photos.
I try to go into the shoot with a general idea of poses and shots I want to capture, but when shoots like these have a natural flow, it feels more authentic which shines through in the final product.
The feeling of seeing my work on gallery walls is one of the best feelings. Having that physical copy of your pieces to hold and put up really gives you a different perspective of the work that goes into projects and feels very rewarding.
Them Frames: Finally, what can we as individuals and as a society do to help advance the conversation about mental illness and support those who are struggling with it?
Kylie Shaw Williams: Be a safe place for people to feel comfortable opening up. Mental illness is a vulnerable topic and because it is so dismissed in society, most people go undiagnosed and spend every day struggling. It is often very expensive and considered a privilege to get treated. It is important that we begin to educate ourselves and others on the signs and symptoms so we can have more discussions on the topic and be more understanding to those struggling.
If would like to support and advance the conversation about mental illness, or are looking to seek support for yourself, below are three organizations to check out. All three were recommended by Kylie Shaw Williams.
You can see more work by Kylie Shaw Williams by visiting her website, Instagram and Twitter.
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