mirror me

2023

mirror me is series of 3 relational self-portraits that explore the notion of the self as a socially constructed entity: an identity projection developed within and in response to social contexts and interpersonal interactions. In an effort to explore the contextual and relational nature of identity, I contacted 3 practitioners across various disciplines. Through guided engagement, we collaborated within the parameters of their occupation to compose a series of analyses, reflections and readings of myself: each one a reflection of myself through an alternate perspective, almost as if I were a sitter for a painting, shifting position for each one.

in case you are reading this

Graphologists are practitioners specialised in the systematic analysis of handwriting. It entails detailed study of the formation ofletters, their size, angularity or curvature and ornamentation, the upward and downward pressure applied, the formation of words and the regularity of their spacing, as well as the degree and angle of the slant of sentences.
Within the theoretical framework of graphology, handwriting is understood as an unconscious process during which the ego is suppressed and thus it is expressive of the author's psychology: a window into the mind, read between the lines.
in case you are reading this stands as a record of an encounter between myself and a graphologist. We communicated only via email and I intentionally chose to submit a sample of handwriting containing banal content that revealed no personal information, yet still, upon first encountering each other on a video call, the graphologist seemed privy to more of myself, my patterns of behaviour and internal monologue than my therapist.
A self-portrait composed and performed through handwriting.

according to the stars

Astrology is defined as a divination concerned with an observation and interpretation of the stars, planets, their organisation and their effect on individuals and earthly affairs. The field of study is largely recognised as a pseudoscience, though many are intrigued by it, find solace in it or are earnest in their devotion to it.
Genethlialogy is the application of astrology to discern an individual's character and life-course based on the planetary and astral configurations at their exact date, time and location of birth.according to the stars details my genethlialogical consultation with a traditional astrologer. Prior to conversing with one another via a video call, I was required to submit my date and location of birth, as well as the rough timing and basic details of 5 significant life events.
My consultation was an hour and a half, during which the astrologer detailed aspects of my nature in a manner so personal yet so certain that it felt as if she'd known me for years.
A self-portrait composed and performed simply by being born.

you probably don’t remember me

My vocational aspirations have been subject to endless reorientations over the course of my youth. At the ripe age of 16, I recognised that I saw no place for myself outside of the art industry. That year, I attended a parent-teacher conference with my art teacher. She asked about my tertiary education plans and the purpose of art as a subject choice. I told her I wanted to study art.
In front of myself and my mother she nonchalantly stated "Oh! No, you could never study art': It is needless to say that I experienced a conglomeration of embarassment, shock, rage and distress, but this was matched with a determination to defy the odds stacked against me in a 15-minute consultation.
As a retrospective illustration of an earlier point in my artistic career, I reached out to this teacher with the intention of meeting with her to have her sketch my portrait in the same classroom in which this vivid memory occurred.
Unfortunately, we never met but the interaction still stands as valiant attempt to return to a relation and a space where I was told I could not be the very thing that I am today.
A self-portrait composed and performed through nostalgic indulgence.