The Only Way Out is Through

Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Porch Light program continued their partnership with the Kirkbride Center, an inpatient behavioral health facility in West Philadelphia, for this dramatic new mural from artist Eric Okdeh. The phrase “the only way out is through” speaks to the process of healing and gaining clarity, moving through a difficult time and coming out the other side.

The Only Way Out Is Through is the culmination of several months of workshops at Kirkbride, co-led by Okdeh and social worker Harini Reddy. Together, the artist and participants developed a design that humanizes the struggle of people dealing with addiction, and shines a light on underlying traumas with an additional quote: “We matter. We shouldn’t let our past define us, nor should we shut the door on it. Our experience is what allows us to be helpful, it is our testimony.” The person in the artwork is shown under layers of water and pattern, with one hand emerging in full color to evoke a moment of clarity.