About

Sean Grove is a multidisciplinary Chicago-based fine art photographer, bookmaker, and writer. Their work explores madness and visualities of trauma through the lens of mad studies. Grove earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio disciplines from School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. Grove also earned their Master of Fine Arts degree in photography from Columbia College Chicago in 2025.

Grove’s work utilizes a combination of mythological, literary, and historical motifs to compress time. These works invite audiences into constructed liminal spaces in which they are invited to look at another’s experience of madness. This work functions by allowing others with similar experiences to feel quietly, safely seen. For audiences who do not have lived-experience with madness, the work may function as an educational tool to help them understand the experiences of others. Grove’s work encourages conversations about madness, experiences, and identities. These works are an invitation to talk about mental health critically, openly, and empathetically.