Scarlett Raven
AUGMENTED REALITY
Scarlett RavenLiving with OCD since the age of eight,
and struggling with dyslexia throughout
school, Scarlett remembers always
feeling different. But she managed to
find her feet when she attended Central
St Martins art college, and it was from
there that she refined her craft in
augmented reality.
Augmented reality is a technology that
puts computer-generated images into
the real world using a phone or tablet
screen. In Scarlett’s work, she creates
alternative angles to her traditional-
style paintings by creating intriguing,
unsettling digital layers.
“It works so well because it plays with
all your senses and helps you disconnect
from your life,” Scarlett explains. “Assomeone who has mental health issues,
augmented reality is a form of escapism.
It takes me away from my daily routine
and worries.”
In 2016, Scarlett created a painting
called ‘One in Four’ to commemorate
Mind’s 70th anniversary. She explains
how the painting represents her own
personal battle with mental illness, but
also acts as an outreached hand to others
who are struggling.
“Exploring mental health using
augmented reality is helping to break
down barriers that often surround
mental health issues,” Scarlett says.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say that I
believe painting has kept me alive.
“We often read articles about how
someone has overcome mental illness
and, while that is great for the person,
it can put a lot of pressure on the rest
of us to get better. For a lot of people,
including me, our mental health is
a work in progress. I paint for those
p e o p l e .”
scarlettraven.comAnthem for Doomed YouthTry it yourself
Download the Blippar app on your
phone. Once the app is open, point
the camera at Scarlett’s piece
‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ and
experience the immersive power of
augmented reality.May 2019 • happiful • 87Exploring mental
health using
augmented reality
is helping to break
down barriers
Artwork | Marc Marot & Scarlett Raven © Washington Green 2019