Narrative of Self

Thinking about the idea of the “self,” and how our inner narratives define our experiences and our relationships, this piece is meant to illustrate how much like a chaotic scaffolding that becomes. Many times I am overwhelmed by how connected everything is; one thing never exists on its own, but always is part of a network of ideas that build over a lifetime. This particular expression began as an exploration into trauma narratives, and how they can splinter our sense of self, as well as become the basis for shared experiences and a sense of camaraderie. All of the materials incorporated are salvaged. The idea of using “cast-off” material is meaningful to me for how it’s environmentally friendly, but it also feels defiant against the judgment that these things might otherwise be considered trash. The text comes from old journals, selected for the passages that embody other themes I was thinking about, grouped so the inner red square (the core) is surrounded by white, which is then enveloped by black, loosely representing the layers of consciousness.