Michelangelo, Alessandra
Italy, 1961 - 2009
Alessandra Michelangelo began to exhibit signs of schizophrenia at the age of 20, following the unexpected death of an older sister. As her mental illness progressed and became more debilitating, she was placed into a series of psychiatric facilities and residential mental health centres, where she spent the bulk of her adult life. Alessandra became a daily participant at Blu Cammello Studio, a workshop and social cooperative where individuals with mental illness are provided with art materials and given the chance to develop their creative potential. Despite being one of the most disturbed and remote patients, Michelangelo began to obsessively create, often drawing with both hands simultaneously to complete her work.
