David O Malley

Shadow ♥️

Title: A fall from grace
Medium: Oil paint on soft pastel

This project focuses on the effects of bullying and harassment in Ireland and the long terms effects on mental health. See my new instagram page and follow my story

I have created a new page with new work solely in the visual art realm. This page is called feel free to join. This new work is created in response to group bullying and harassment in Ireland and shining a light.

Lavender has long been considered a magical herb. In medieval Europe, it was burned or hung above doorways to protect homes from evil. Wearing a sprig of lavender was said to protect children, while crosses made of lavender were suspended over thresholds to ward off harm.

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. A spell of countermagic and protection.

I will slowly release my art work and create a new page dedicated to my new work. In this I will release statements of the harassment and bullying I encountered over the years in order to promote awareness of this issue in order to prevent it from happening to someone else that is in a similar situation. It doesn’t matter what age you are. It could happen to anyone at any age.

Statement: It was a dark winters evening and I had to get the connecting train from Dun Laoghaire Dart station between 6:30 - 7pm. I got on with my bike after working in my mini shop. After getting settled a couple got on aged in their late 50s early sixties. Both wore sunglasses even though it was dark out and seated behind me as I was standing with my bike. The blonde woman said to the man ‘will we begin?’ to which they began reciting personal accounts of my life and medical background in cycles. I found their behaviour very unsettling and had to take a reality check as to was this actually happening. I checked their lips and they were moving. I felt totally numb and froze in response. They were able to account very detailed information about my private life in cycles after which the man said in aggressive tone ‘I will break that fu***ng chain on his bike’.

When I was going to get off at my stop they proceeded with this very strange dialogue in repeating cycles ‘Watch him now, watch and see what stop he gets off at. As I left the train I heard ‘ He lives there so. Good to know’. It was so hard not to say anything to them at the time because my whole body shut down as a response.

After this I felt so numb with anxiety and fear getting off that train that I could hardly function.

Cycling felt so difficult that night that I had to walk instead for most of the way home in the dark.

Never feel alone when you are a target. Talk to someone.

Dark Prince in bloom

Important information I need to share.
Never be bullied. Over the past few years particularly in the past 3 I have been bullied and targeted by a certain group of people because of my sexuality and physical appearance. The type of bullying included threat, verbal harassment, intimidation, defamatory remarks, roomers, psychological tactics and body shaming. This made me loose confidence in myself and my abilities. It made me want to stop making art and doing the things I enjoy.

It made me want to not go outside. Where going to the shops, post office or basic commute was challenging in fear I would be followed or targeted.

The reason why I am saying this is to know the signs early.
If you feel you are the victim of bullying or know someone that is
Shout it out before it gets too late.
There is only one you.

Thank you to everyone that has supported my work throughout my years. Unfortunately my physical and online store has been closed for some time but I am working on reshaping the brand to focus more on fine art. I am excited to share with you what’s next