Outside In explores the notion of the outsider—those labeled as misfits, outcasts, or eccentrics, existing on the periphery of society. This work examines the connection between mental health and creativity, particularly through impulsive and compulsive behaviors. It questions the role of raw, unfiltered impulse in artmaking and its significance within the realm of Outsider Art. At its core, Outside In asks: How does creativity impact the well-being of those living outside societal norms?

This installation delves into mental states such as anxiety, depression, and paranoia, visually represented through figures with large, abstracted heads—symbolizing the overwhelming power of thought. Fragmented wooden pieces mirror the continuous formation of ideas in the mind, each distinct yet interconnected, shaping a functional whole.

Drawing from the physical manifestations of anxiety—restlessness, tension, fidgeting, and avoidance behaviors—Outside In embraces spontaneity and impulse, translating these energies into expressive, abstracted figurative forms. The work is both a reflection of the outsider’s experience and a meditation on the ways our inner worlds shape our external realities.

In 2016, Outside In was selected as a finalist for Sculpture at Scenic World, an exhibition set within the ancient forests of the Blue Mountains. Here, bold artworks are displayed in a breathtaking outdoor gallery, where visitors travel via one of the world’s steepest railways to explore a 2.4-kilometre walkway featuring site-responsive sculptures designed to complement their natural surroundings.