Near death for most of 2020, Shay Seaborne CPTSD struggled to effectively communicate their dire condition to trauma-uninformed healthcare providers. Additionally, they lacked exhibition space and opportunities to share their art. Shay devised a creative solution: the Lapbook Gallery.
These exhibitions resemble picture books, which succinctly narrate a trauma story or illustrate neurobiology concepts in 10 paintings. They were inspired by the PechaKucha format, where a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds each. Given their intense nature, Shay realized that 20 images were too many for these narratives. Consequently, they reduced it to 10 paintings per Lapbook Gallery, creating a safer space for viewers to engage with their story.