This work uses W.E.B. Du Bois's theory of Double Consciousness to demonstrate my emotions to the viewer. Double Consciousness is described as constantly having the view of both your own perception of yourself and white perception of yourself. While double consciousness can be considered a blessing to an extent, it is very oppressive to the soul. I combined aspects of double consciousness with my feelings of anxiety. In this work, I painted myself as if I were looking into a mirror. My mirror self is my perception of myself, warped by imaginable perceptions of others. This is demonstrated through the portrait both looking at the theoretical viewer and myself. In the mirror, I am separated by color and form from the rest of the world. At the same time, I am isolated, and the branches of my head make the viewer question whether my isolation stems from others, me, or a combination of the two. In seeing myself as a sort of abstract mutilated form, I evoke a sense of power as well as alienation from this world/society.
Acrylic on Canvas. 36X48 in
