Finding Community, Advocating for Mental Health: A Conversation with Freya Gupta, BFA+BS '24

In the busy streets of Gurgaon, Haryana of 2020, Freya Gupta dared to dream of a life beyond the sea surrounding her home. That dream inspired her to journey across the world to learn more about artmaking and the impact of art. Despite the skeptical eyes of her parents, Freya remained steadfast in her determination to chart her own course. Now armed with a combined degree in clinical psychology and Studio Art (with a focus on graphic arts), Freya has come out of her college experience feeling fulfilled at having followed her dream. Freya's academic voyage at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA) has been characterized by remarkable resilience and an unwavering commitment to cultivating community. As she prepares to bid farewell to her alma mater, Freya reflects on her transformative journey, shaped by her profound need for community, advocacy for mental health awareness, and for her unwavering dedication to intentional artistry. 

Growing up, art was not a prevalent part of her family life; her grandmother's occasional foray into painting was the extent of it. Consequently, her parents were initially perplexed by her choice to study art. "To be able to travel to the US to pursue my academic aspirations and have that be art was something that was not really understood by my family.” Freya made the decision to study clinical psychology alongside her study of graphic arts during the second semester of her sophomore year, carving out a dual experience that spoke to her eclectic interests and personal convictions. In doing so, Freya embraced the autonomy to define her academic journey on her own terms, demonstrating a resilience and tenacity that have become hallmarks of her character.  

During her time at SMFA, she explored multiple media alongside graphic arts including etching, drawing, printmaking, woodblock printing, and bookmaking. “There’s always an option to undo in graphic media, the undo button comes as easily as breathing almost” Freya reflects with a laugh. However, in classes like oil painting, you can’t undo your markings, teaching Freya to develop confidence and intention with every stroke. This same intention poured into Freya’s search for community, a paramount concept that guided her at SMFA since her freshman year. “A really big aspect of artmaking for me now is community,” Freya remarks, “it's almost like fuel to me.” Building community could be a daunting task, but the clubs at SMFA made it easier to connect with likeminded people. Outside of class, Freya contributes to the Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC), an organization that hosts undergraduate events, by creating graphic flyers and was recently promoted to marketing executive, allowing her to mentor other students. Her contributions to the community did not end there. Additionally, she participated in the South Asian Political Action Community (SAPAC) on the Medford campus, engaging in community fundraising—experiences she describes as "just wonderful." 

Central to Freya's artistic practice is her fervent advocacy for mental health conversations. Recognizing the stigma surrounding mental illness and the importance of destigmatizing it, Freya embarked on a mission to spark dialogue and promote understanding. One notable manifestation of this commitment is her creation of a board game, born out of a class on Design for Social Change with Professor Carla Fisher Schwartz, which serves as a vehicle for education and awareness. Inspired by a friend's experience with a primary care provider who readily prescribed antidepressants for what she later realized was mere sadness, Freya recognized the danger of overmedication perpetuated by societal norms and the pharmaceutical industry. The game, reminiscent of Snakes and Ladders, features cards with diagnoses and accompanying information, offering players insights into the complexities of mental health. Through this interactive experience, Freya seeks to highlight the nuances of human emotions and the implications of medication, challenging the tendency to pathologize normal feelings. “Trying to not pathologize normal human emotions is such an important thing that, I think, we’re beginning to neglect.” Beyond the game itself, Freya crafted an instruction manual to facilitate deeper engagement and learning for participants. While acknowledging the complexity of the subject matter, she views the board game as a crucial first step in a larger conversation aimed at promoting holistic approaches to mental well-being. 

Freya Gupta's philosophy encapsulates the profound connection between rest and creativity, affirming, "Rest is so important. Rest is art." She emphasizes the significance of self-care and mental well-being, asserting, "Take a second to breathe and take care of yourself if that's what you need. Your art is a reflection of your mental state." For Freya, the journey of creation is as significant as the outcome, recognizing the inherent value in the process itself. Looking ahead, she envisions a future where her artistic and academic pursuits converge harmoniously. With aspirations to illustrate children's books, Freya seeks to impart the wisdom and insights gleaned from her multidisciplinary studies. Moreover, she harbors a deep-seated desire to give back to society, whether in the United States or her native India, by fostering spaces for crucial conversations to unfold. This past graduation season welcomed a poignant milestone not only for Freya but also for her mother, who visited her college campus for the first time to celebrate this significant achievement. As she steps into the world beyond academia, Freya Gupta continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us to create spaces where vulnerability is celebrated and where conversations about mental health are not just encouraged but embraced.