Natasha Grey
Project title: Understanding the impact of social media on adolescent wellbeing, an art’s based, Heuristic inquiry
Natasha spent her childhood in the Northern beaches of Sydney and has always lived by the water from Bondi, Broome to Byron Bay. She loved to draw growing up which led her to study at the National Art school in Sydney. She started to develop her style of painting at Art school using symbols and figures in a dreamlike landscape to tell a story. The elements of water and fire, tarot cards and dreams are constant sources of inspiration.
Natasha’s own journey of motherhood has influenced her work, as she relived her childhood through her daughter - reading fairytales and rediscovering life through her innocent eyes. Natasha’s travels have also informed her work, as each place imprints some of the colours, smells and sounds into her heart and palette. Natasha’s Art Therapy journey began about twenty years ago. She returned to her studies a few years ago as she wanted to combine her passion for art and healing.
Natasha has watched her daughter use social media throughout her adolescence, and was fascinated by this communication with friends using only images on snapchat. Natasha wanted to use video montage to imitate these visual platforms and explore the impact of social media in all its light and darkness.
As a mother of a teenager, Natasha is interested in exploring how social media affects adolescent wellbeing in different domains of their life. She identified five key themes in the current literature on how social media impacts adolescent wellbeing. These themes are social disconnection, the fear of missing out (FOMO), social media’s effect on body image, self- identity and sexting. The motivation for this research project is to provide insight into this topic from the lived experience of a mother navigating social media with her adolescent daughter. Through video montage, Natasha is responding to visual social media platforms widely used by adolescents. She chose photography as it has always been a favourite medium since art school.
This research aims to provide a personal and vivid insight into the social media world that adolescents are immersed in.
Mixed media collage on paper
14.8cm x 21cm
The fire symbol represents the dangers on social media for adolescents, such as online stalkers and predators. The fire is contrasted with an image of mother and child symbolising Natasha’s journey of motherhood with her adolescent daughter.
Mixed media collage on paper
14.8cm x 21cm
Natasha incorporated some of her own adolescence through the photo of her teenage self in the centre, and poem she wrote at 16 yrs. Natasha often reflected during her research how different her adolescence was without social media.
Mixed media collage on paper
14.8cm x 21cm
The dreamy mood and blue palette created a melancholy yet calming image. Natasha was reflecting on the theme of social disconnection, represented in the girl reaching out for in the corner.
Mixed media collage on paper
14.8cm x 21cm
The themes of sexting and body image were represented in this collage with the red colour palette symbolising the risks online. There is a girl staring at her reflection in the mirror, a reoccurring theme in the data.
Mixed media collage on paper
14.8cm x 21cm
Reflecting on disconnection and how ‘blue’ it can make you feel. There are all shades of blue and the stars a symbol of possibilities, a reoccurring theme in her research. The little butterflies represent transformation, as there is always hope.
Video
This video was completed on TikTok, a popular social media platform with adolescents. Natasha represents how social media can affect identity in a positive way. Young people are more aware of global issues and want to have a voice.