Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation art exhibit provides 'Insights' into disorder

The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation was founded by Palm Beach residents Joyce and Dusty Sang, whose 24-year-old son Ryan Licht Sang died in his sleep in 2004 after going off his medication for bipolar disorder.

The foundation hosts juried art competitions and exhibitions called "Insights," with works by artists with bipolar disorder.

Dusty Sang spoke during the opening reception for the latest exhibition Jan. 16 at the John H. Surovek Gallery on Worth Avenue. "Some of the artists are here. Please talk to them about their work and living with bipolar disorder," he said.

One of those artists, Jim Mackey of Pennsylvania, created a work known as "The Foil Hat." He said his work was based on a conversation he had with a police officer.

Written on the piece is: "Once a cop was talking to me and said that they used to call the crazies 'the tin foil hat brigade.' I did not inform them that I was a member."

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Submissions for the latest exhibition, known as "Insights VI," illustrate "What It Feels Like To Have Bipolar Disorder." The show is open at the gallery through Feb. 1.

The foundation's Quest for the Test initiative raises money for research to develop a biomarker test for bipolar disorder to help with early diagnosis.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'What It Feels Like to Have Bipolar Disorder': Art show offers insight