Artist Statement:
Mind Over Matter is a visual interpretation of how physically and emotionally exhausting general anxiety disorder is from a personal perspective. Anxiety has been a constant presence throughout the majority of my life. The persistent emotional and psychological symptoms such as overthinking, dissociation, fearfulness, and having negative intrusive thoughts, coincide with having physical symptoms. The physical symptoms include nausea, tension, rapid heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, restlessness, and more. While having a combination of these symptoms, I noticed my mental health deteriorating and realized I didn’t want to live like this anymore. Throughout my journey, I have grown to recognize how and when my mind and body are going to react negatively to everyday situations, and have found ways to cope through creative expression, close relationships, and exploring holistic remedies.
This body of work is a multitude of images comprised of self portraits, environments, and objects that represent my interpretation of the symptoms that express my anxiety, and are printed on cotton fabric. Since starting my journey of growing and healing, I’ve noticed that I have a more positive outlook on life. Everything seems more vibrant, and less dull and dreadful. Even though I notice my anxiety slowly drifting away, it is still a lingering presence therefore the representation of healing is achieved by overlaying the images with vibrant hues and ethereal effects. The use of fabric throughout this work not only represents my bed, but also the push and pull of experiencing dread while seeking comfort. While struggling with my anxieties, my bed was a place where I could cry or sleep away my worries in peace. I realized this was an unhealthy way of coping and only negatively impacted my mental health. Learning how to overcome my fears has allowed me to detach myself from this space, and instead use it as a healthy mechanism to relax and find comfort.
