Work Description: This psychological, almost therapeutic artist-photobook and exhibition series reveals lesser-known connections between creatively inclined individuals in working-class societies, addiction problems, and mental illness. I makes this case through images from my personal archive. These photographs emerged when I accidentally discovered photography as a method of self-therapy after discharging myself from a psychiatric clinic during a drug-induced schizophrenic episode. The book offers an intricately composed, chronological narrative of six years, presenting the argument that a lack of societal acceptance for young, creatively inclined individuals leads to a range of well-known, potentially preventable problems and hardships.

Another point of focus is the topic of depression—the most prevalent and debilitating mental condition in many developed countries, which despite its epidemic status remains heavily stigmatized and insufficiently discussed. Solely designed by me, this is a book for photo and artist-book enthusiasts. It is a work not only to raise awareness and to help de-stigmatize common patterns, but ultimately a work that will resonate the most with other neurodivergent people, who are probably going to find these tellings relatable. 2019, an early prototype edition of Developments was awarded the German Photobook Award. It was eventually self-published in an edition of 500 books in 2024 and is available for purchase.