Maya Neideck

Dear Neurotypicals,

Dear Neurotypicals, is an illustrative book/diary that, for now, consists of 15 images depicting real-life mental illness-related episodes. These images are overlayed with tracing paper decorated with notes describing what those who struggle with mental illness want neurotypical people to understand about mental illness. Those of us who deal with mental illness every day struggled in silence because of all the negative connotations associated with it. People with mental illness are commonly thought of as “crazy” or “mentally unstable” and these stereotypes make living with mental illness that much harder. This work is meant to educate those who lack an understanding of what mental illness really is, as well as, give those who struggle a platform to voice what they wish more people knew, and possibly create an environment that is more accommodating to those who struggle with mental illness. Maya Neideck is an illustrator from Michigan, who specializes in large-scale charcoal realism portraits. She takes great interest in the human face and figure and pushing the boundaries of reality and art.