Behind the Mask:BIPOLAR .......

thankyou jkkimball for your comments

this condition is haunting

exposedbutloved

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Lovely image. Love the depth and composition

I love IT- Really Really Awesome- I know a couple of people with this disorder and it really causes havoc for families and friends, very difficult at times to support. Thank you for drawing awareness- You are genious at what you do xx

A wonderfully creative piece & kudos for drawing peoples attention to this very sad disorder :)

One of the crueler illnesses. For everyone. The tones here really add to the feeling too.

Brilliant image and so true.

i love your image but i disagree with what you and others have said….. bipolarity does not have to be a tragedy nor a handicap… it is this kind of misinformation and uninformed opinions that cause individuals with bipolarity the biggest problems…. the social stigma and bigotry aimed at bipolars is what is truley sad…... i respect your art but i disagree with your opinion…..b

Very creative, as usual. Well done.

nice work shanghaiwu. ;-) xox

a very difficult thing to deal with…. great work shang :) x

Extraoridnary and beautiful work my friend. Very powerful and compelling. You have dwelt with great sensitivity this serious mental health issue.

our mind can be so dangerous … we have to take care
very impressive artwork!

You are very courageous to bring this difficult issue out in the open. i salute you for that. Having had personal experience with this kind of person myself.Finding it difficult as a layperson to accurately diagnose another person but knowing for sure that its either this or psychopathy. – A lucky escape for me.
Love the picture and the music.

excellent creation and well worded

to lump all bipolar people together and the degree of their disorder is a disservice to everyone… one encounter with one bipolar person (who sounds more schizophrenic then bipolar) does not give anyone the right to berate a large section of soceity… because of the discrimination, bigotry, and misinformation about this illness, many people who could and should seek help DON”T because of the stigma put on it by society as a whole. It’s like saying all gays wear women’s clothes or all asians love rice. It is so easy to put people in neat little categories and assign them all the exact same characteristics and behaviors… but each person is unique including people with bipolarity . It’s sad to think there such broadbased and wrong information being listened too in such advanced societies and cultures.

and since it is new to you.. i think it’s a bit irresponsible to make such broad and irresponsible statements and suppositions… again you blur the line between schizophrenic behavior and bipolarity..they are two very distinct disorders…... and people stay behind closed doors because of such confusion and misinformation….... i won’t comment further here because i don’t want to monopolize your comment section but i think labels should be well read before a person opens a can.

cool it little blue dog

I am far from perfect

just TRYING TO UNDERSTAND

” won’t comment further here because i don’t want to monopolize your comment section “

PLEASE Butchart

you point of view very very important because obviously you know a hell of a lot more about this than I do

O Wow! This is truly different and original. It’s probably one of my favourite pieces. But then again it hard to choose with the quality of your work. :)

I can imagine how sensitive this subject can be. You are very brave to tackle it though! I commend you for it!

Outstanding looking work

excellent

Brilliant work – but yes, dealing with someone in this state of mind…well I’ve never had to I don’t think, but I’ve dealt with totally unreasonable and that is hard enough.

thankyou smallfox

yes/ think basically I am with you on this/totally unreasonable is what I have basically experienced.

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This meaningful and poignant… great job!

Very interesting and meaningful shot.

Sonia de Macedo-Stewart

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This looks great ..so well done !

FABULOUS work, Wu!!!! Really special.

Love your work…...beautiful done…..........

Congratulations on the well deserved feature :o)

Impressive image and concept, good work Shanghaiwu !

The thing to remember about all “mental illness” is that it is an illness, a dis-ease, not a choice. We label and catagorize, often demeaning those with the problem. I’m not saying that this is your intent, but you need to know that many people who have emotional issues are very sensitive to being pegged by words. Can a person with cancer choose not to have cancer? They can choose to be treated or not treated, that is the only choice they have. And please remember, like cancer, the treatments our so-called doctors use do not always work. I know quite a few people with various disorders. Their conditions range from mild to severe. I’ve seen some go from severe to mild. All anyone can do, if you love someone with a disorder, is be patient, don’t take their disorder personally, separate if necessary for a while, and continue to love and pray for healing. Throw your labels away. Are any of us without some dis-ease?

Your art is beautiful and very expressive. I love it.

This has opened up a very interesting debate and response. I have had quite a few friends, professional people, who are bipolar and have learned to work with it and live with it. It is a difficult illness but not one that has to be hidden or not explored or investigated. Your work is very good and helps to open up the issue well. I think it is true as well that there are many levels to the illness and people are unique and have their various ways of coping – or not. Good on you for looking at it and responding. :0) Song

congradulations on your feature

great!

Very sensitive subject… We can make broad statements and really hurt others by it. it’s funny how small this world can be, and though we have all been hurt by someone and we have the right to be upset by it we have the responsibilty to put it in the right place. Otherwise we also hurt others which in turn makes us no different then our preditor… and we become the one who needs to say “Sorry”
I am sorry for your bad experiance… :) But we cannot put lables on others…

I see a lot of advocacy in your work; such as Crimes against Women and Women of Basra and others. In my mind, this piece falls into that category also. It is not a judgmental piece, but powerfully depicts pain, layers of pain and suffering for everyone involved, the sufferer and the family members.

I also see the metaphorical 2 minds that people struggle between. My husband can be happy as a clam one minute, then in the pit of despair minutes later. Psychiatric terms are primarily of use for professionals who need to have a common language for talking about how to help, what help is effective and what is not, medication issues, etc.

No one wants to be labeled or put in a box…”this is who you are…”, yet having ways to talk about these issues are important. The very fact you used the word “bipolar” has caused people to express opinions and talk about it.

My guess is this was not meant to be a controversial piece, I could be wrong. Regardless, I like how you take issues that you have strong feelings about and express them.

Excellent work Shanghaiwu!

The disturbing comments to which people seem to be responding is “mind games and manipulative behavior. As a therapist and experiencing this with many people as well as my own family member…even if it seems like mind games and manipulation, and it may be to an extent, but the person often does not even know they are doing this. It is all they know and they are doing the best they can to cope with overwhelming emotions and experiences.

Speaking from experience, it takes a great amount of patience and stick to-itiveness to grow and maintain relationships in the best of circumstances. When mental illness is added into the mix it really becomes a painful challenge for everyone to know how to respond and to care for someone who has this illness. The person with the illness often feels victimized from those who won’t take the time to understand or find new ways of relating that are more effective. There is no doubt it is difficult for the ill one and their family and friends.

I think it is important to look for balance in caring for both the one who is ill and those who are the support system and love them. We all need grace more than judgment and condemnation. I think you are exploring issues that are difficult to be objective about, especially for those who have the illness or who have been deeply impacted by the illness of another. Love, grace, respect and an attitude of learning are all important in these kinds of discussions.

Thank you for sharing my E-mail… I was raised that if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything. If your intension was to make me look bad just as you have done with people who have Bi-polar you have not done so… It is sad that a site that is here for beauty has been used for this and it appears that you are enjoying the sorrow that it is bringing… I have spoken up for those that can’t, and I will not be a part of this any longer… Very sad…

great work

wonderful work…

thankyou TwirlyAngel for adding this to your favourites

Antonello Incagnone “incant”

thankyou for adding me to your watchlist

I see some shift happening here. I see someone who made some mistakes in wording from a lack of knowledge, not a lack of heart. I see someone who is willing to grow and learn. I hope those of you who have been offended are learning, too. Be at peace all of you. We are here to learn and share. Be at peace.

Well, you can give up on trying to keep everyone happy. That’s not possible. LOL. Just keep on learning and loving.

Brilliant image!

STUNNING!!!! Congratulations on ALL the features!!!!

This is stunning, very well produced, well done.

Congratulations on yet another feature :o)) great news

Stunning creation of a very complex issue….

Your welcome

Brilliant and chic… what more can you ask. Bravo!

very,very,clever.

brilliant artwork and a thoughtful and humane response that specific situation….. and I know as I was also there …..

This image is very much how i see myself, i suffer depression but not to the extent of Bi Polar which i at one time thought i may , my ups and downs are now a part of my life and my art is the best medicine …..

Mad O’Connor

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myREVolution

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joannemaree

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Congratulations on this brilliant artwork being so well received….. and so it should!

“innocent bystanders caught up in this web of mind games …..”
This is a very harsh comment.
Your art is very good but your words are quite wounding.

a masterpiece
xxxxx

A very beautiful and haunting image.

No more debate will be entered into over this image/so sorry to have deleted any comments but the issue was becoming bigger than REDBUBBLE .

First let me say that the art itself is very good. I like it, but I just can’t support your description:

This is a tragic state of mind. For family and friends and innocent bystanders caught up in this web of mind games there can be disastrous consequences particularly if alcohol and pills are combined.

A very important word in the recovery/healing process for the person diagnosed with bipolar is to be able to say “SORRY”.

From everything I have read, Bipolar Disorder is not a “web of mind games” but a disease which may be organic and genetic in origin. Requiring a person suffering from Bipolar Disorder to say “sorry” for their behavior is akin to asking a person in a wheelchair to apologize for not being able to move a little faster or get out of your way.

Often we tend to be critical and impatient with people suffering from mental or psychiatric conditions. The first step we who are fortunate enough not to be afflicted should take is one of understanding and patience.

hm bascom

I hear you and thankyou

Helene Kippert

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outstanding !

This is excellent work!

medusa

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Awarded a Highly Commended at

MELBOURNE CAMERA CLUB

satsumagirl

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Very cool work

Mieke Boynton

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beautiful work

Sandra Fisher

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Brilliant work shanghaiwu! I suffer from bipolar and have learned to manage the illness. It can be crippling, and all sorts of things but being aware, and like any other illness understanding yourself and managing diet etc, you can live a productive and creative life. My art is a big part of my healing, and I am very fortunate to be able use it with medication amd lead a very functional and happy life. I am enjoying your work immensely, you are a fabulous artist!

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BEIGE IS DEATH

THANKYOU

Luke Stephensen

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Aww lovely sweetheART entrancing work ;} happy hippy hugglez

kathleen

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laurenrabbit

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joshua75

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eon

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Very Nice Reflective Work,
I would say your two heads work fine in you Bi-Polar Art.
As A Polar Person Myself This Is A Fine Representation Of Not Just
A “Bi Polar” Person But Could Be Used To Represent Many So Called
“Normal” people of society Who Think They Are Talking From Their
Mouths But It’s Really Just Coming Out Their Caboose.
I’m sure the ones that “bash” you w/negative comments just need to
double up on whatever they are taking and get HAPPY !!!!
More happy Pills !!!! weeeeee ! Anyway, I LOVE your ART
Don’t sweat the Haters!!!

Brilliant work! amazing image that has created a large amount of comment. In my opinion the image and comments are very positive and can only help bring awareness to those of us who have not to experience or understand this type of illness.

cheers,

Great image.

Kseniya Beliaeva

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God how I love this…I think I will stare at it for a whole hour…well, maybe not that long, but you get my drift. It’s just so mesmerizing.

Have just noticed the SALE REDBUBBLE sign.

YES/this sells as a CARD for REDBUBBLE.

thankyou for the interest in this image/pleased you have enjoyed enough to BUY

Who are they? I want to befriend them just so I can sit and stare at it in their house(:

Nah! I was joking(: I wouldn’t just become friends with someone to look at a piece of art they owned…though it would be nice if someone I knew did own one of yours.

brilliant work

fabulous …

great visual interpretation

powerful image….straight to the heart….

Great work again, Shanghai Wu, very haunting indeed and masterly executed.

Very honoured, Wu, both by the plug and your visit to our exhibition – still on until 30 November ... ;-)

Keep up the great work!

Thank you for adding this splendid work to The Top Favorite Group

It certainly is ..as I know too well.

You are welcome, and deserved of each and every view, comment and favorite :)

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THE TOP FAVOURITE GROUP

beautiful work

Sally R

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briarlee r

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Excellent work!

tylersmalebox

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fabulous

Your art creations are spectacular:-)

James Lewis Hamilton

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Beautiful work. Very evocative / haunting

Great image. Very well done.

A really awesome and beautiful composition!

facinating work!! love it!