Action Man Anxiety

by Neville Moutnford-Hoare

In the UK three quarters of all suicides are men and suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 years of age.

Action Man was a toy synonymous in portraying strength and the ultimate masculinity, a stereotype that was installed into most young boys who played with the toy alongside toxic messaging such as “Man Up” and “Big boys don’t cry”.

In this series of Action Man Portraits the expressions have been altered to emphasise that even the strongest of men can feel Alone, Anxious or Afraid.

Emotions that are normal and should never be bottled up or seen as a sign of weakness by men.

“Action Man Anxiety” was released during Mental Health Awareness Week 15th-21st May and exhibited as part of the “Medway Open Studios Festival” alongside other projects by Neville Mountford-Hoare at his studio.

Printed at scale the images had huge impact – see in-situ image below.

Dockside Studio, The Bonded Warehouse, Hulks Lane, Rochester, ME2 4ED.

The studio is also available to hire and AOP members get a 10% discount.

@nevillemountfordhoare

Action Man Anxiety

In the UK three quarters of all suicides are men and suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 years of age.

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