After 20 Years in a Mental Hospital, an Artist Fights for Sanity

Artist, writer and musician Issa Ibrahim spent 20 years in Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital in Queens after his descent into drugs and psychosis led him to commit a crime. In his memoir The Hospital Always Wins, he writes about his experiences in the mental health system, as well as the long, painful road to rehabilitation and his current work as a peer counselor and artist. Radio producer Laura Starecheski told his story on NPR's State of the Re:Union, which won the Edward R. Murrow Award and Third Coast 2014 Award for Best News documentary. 

Event: Issa Ibrahim will be signing copies of his memoir on Thursday, June 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Issa’s gallery exhibit in the Local Project Art Space (11-27 44th St, Long Island City). His art will be exhibited in the space until June 18th, and signed books will be available there for sale throughout the show. 

"Cruel Nails" by Issa Ibrahim.

(Issa Ibrahim (artist)/ Courtesy of Independent Publishers Group. )