Conversion therapy, also known as “ex-gay” therapy is a series of discredited practices based on the belief that one‘s sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual.
These practices are supported by psychological or spiritual interventions, often provided by licensed mental health professionals, unlicensed counsellors and religious leaders, targeting especially children under 18. This is happening in almost every part of the world, either legally or illegally. The need to cure patients with Bible verses, physical pain, demonology, reparative masturbation, hypnosis, shame and other contemporary methods.
Inspired by Humanism and the Renaissance, which questioned the role of Roman Catholic church in society, and informed by the personal experiences of those who have been through conversion therapy, this series points to negative impact ex-gay therapy has on mental health and questions where the need to fix people has come from.
Bio:
Martin Skraban was born in Bojnice, Slovakia, in 1998. He is currently studying BA Photography Video and Digital Imaging at the University of Sunderland, due to graduate in July 2020.
He has taken up many volunteering opportunities, from helping to install the work, to photo-documenting exhibition openings, artist talks and workshops, while closely working with the NEPN (North East Photography Network) and providing archival material that could be used on their website or social media platforms. He took a part in a project led by the Foundation Press, University of Sunderland, focused on risograph printing and self-publishing. Alongside an ongoing book fair, this project resulted in a collaborative workshop open to the public at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle.
Skraban also collaborated with Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and National Glass Centre, also based in Sunderland. His work was exhibited in the Corridor Gallery in the NEPN building, Sunderland and Hotel Lion D‘Ore in Haarlem, Netherlands.
