Fozzy (previously known as Disabled Artist) is an abstract artist who channels personal battles with chronic pain, severe depression, PTSD, and anxiety into expressive, geometric artwork. Each piece begins as an instinctual reaction—a rush of marks made in response to overwhelming emotions and moments when words fall short. For Fozzy, art is more than a visual outlet; it’s a therapeutic process, a means of reclaiming control and imprinting pieces of resilience onto paper.
In this raw approach, Fozzy’s work resonates with others facing their own struggles, inviting viewers to find meaning in the intersections of pain and healing, chaos and calm. Through evolving shapes, intricate lines, and subconscious compositions, Fozzy shares a powerful message: that even in the darkest times, art can illuminate a path toward healing.
Beyond creating, Fozzy is committed to raising awareness around mental health, advocating for the healing power of creativity, and inspiring others to discover strength in their own journeys.
Statement
My art begins with urgency—a rush of uncontrollable panic, depression, and anxiety, and a need to channel the overwhelming emotions that accompany chronic pain and PTSD. When stress escalates and the weight of suffering feels unbearable, I often find myself consumed by dark thoughts. But through art, I have found an outlet—a way to confront and transform these emotions rather than be overtaken by them.
Each piece is more than “just a drawing”; it holds the rawness of each dark moment that tries to consume me. The process starts as an instinctual reaction to simply make marks on paper, a subconscious attempt to release what words cannot capture. Over the past year, the number of these drawings has soared, reflecting the frequency of these difficult episodes. Some pieces come to life quickly, emerging from the page in under 25 minutes, while others demand more time, as I navigate the intensity of each feeling.
Through the practice of art and the support of EMDR therapy, I’ve gained awareness of these emotional surges, learning to recognise the onset of these episodes and channel them into creation rather than despair. Art has become my anchor, grounding me and reclaiming control, allowing me to capture pieces of myself in each work—a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the healing power of creativity.
With each piece, I hope to invite others to see not only the work on paper but the journey behind it, to connect with the resilience it represents, and to find strength in their own journeys.
Exhibitions:
In less than a year after I began creating my art, I was honoured to be a finalist in the 2019 Parker Harris, ING Discerning Eye Exhibition.
I was later selected as a finalist for the 2021 Wells Art Contemporary Awards, held in the stunning surroundings of Wells Cathedral.
Most recently, in 2022, four of my pieces were chosen to appear in the Manchester Art Fair.