Inside The Mind Of A Hypomanic - A Bipolar Journey Through Sound by Robin Blamires

Audio

Listen to Robin Blamires' full audio piece on SoundCloud here: https://soundcloud.com/robinblamires/bipolar

Artist statement: I was born in London nearly 40 years ago and from
an early age I knew I was different.

Not knowing how to go about simply talking to, let alone getting on with other people, but developing a wide knowledge and fascination for television and later radio.

This wasn’t a hobby. It was a special interest.

That was on discovering I was autistic. And realizing over time that the bigger world and society didn’t and still doesn’t understand how hard it is to do what
they’re seemingly able to do easily.

It was made harder when moving out of London to live in Canterbury, and my years in school were challenging. But the roots of my special interests dating back to that supposed late 80s utopia, played a part in returning to London to study a radio course at the University of Westminster.

During that time, a combination of unrealistic expectations, and all-too realistic pressures lead me to being sectioned, and diagnosed with bipolar disorder through a build up of hypomania.

Despite returning to London to finish my degree, I still haven’t worked out what my purpose is, at a time when radio and other creative outlets have become more
practically demanding in the face of digital distractions elsewhere.

But alongside the amazing team at Folded Wing, I put how I felt during that time into audio, and hope more people will understand what it is like to manage a lifelong condition and the mental challenges and obstacles that go with it.

Inside The Mind Of A Hypomanic - A Bipolar Journey Through Sound by Robin Blamires

Audio

Listen to Robin Blamires' full audio piece on SoundCloud here: https://soundcloud.com/robinblamires/bipolar

Artist statement: I was born in London nearly 40 years ago and from
an early age I knew I was different.

Not knowing how to go about simply talking to, let alone getting on with other people, but developing a wide knowledge and fascination for television and later radio.

This wasn’t a hobby. It was a special interest.

That was on discovering I was autistic. And realizing over time that the bigger world and society didn’t and still doesn’t understand how hard it is to do what
they’re seemingly able to do easily.

It was made harder when moving out of London to live in Canterbury, and my years in school were challenging. But the roots of my special interests dating back to that supposed late 80s utopia, played a part in returning to London to study a radio course at the University of Westminster.

During that time, a combination of unrealistic expectations, and all-too realistic pressures lead me to being sectioned, and diagnosed with bipolar disorder through a build up of hypomania.

Despite returning to London to finish my degree, I still haven’t worked out what my purpose is, at a time when radio and other creative outlets have become more
practically demanding in the face of digital distractions elsewhere.

But alongside the amazing team at Folded Wing, I put how I felt during that time into audio, and hope more people will understand what it is like to manage a lifelong condition and the mental challenges and obstacles that go with it.