Breathe
Breathing in such an overlooked tool to calm our selves down and bring us back to earth.
April
Let Go
I know how it feels to be in hopeless situation where letting go is scarier than the abuse you endure by staying. Sometimes, your anchors aren’t enough to keep you steady, not when someone in your life seems to think they can tell you how much you’re worth. I think there’s at least one person out there who needs to hear this: you decide your worth, not anybody else.
What You Get Is Not Always What You See
I created this mask to share that what’s going on inside of me (or anyone else) is not always what is visible. I use art to express how I’m feeling about lots of subjects, including injustice and the hope for justice.
We Will Not Be Erased
My piece is about LGBTQ+ pride in the face of an increasingly homophobic and transphobic administration and society. The current political climate has made it harder to be queer or trans, and while it is really scary, I believe that resilience is our best option. We have to keep fighting, keep resisting, and keep living as LGBTQ + people.
The weight of what’s right
This is a personal narrative reflecting on an experience where I saw how justice or the lack of it can shape how we see fairness, people, and the world. It shares how a moment involving someone else helped me think more deeply about what justice really means.
Voices for Justice
“This piece was inspired by things that happen in a everyday life, the way that our perspective are deeply influenced by our backgrounds, identities and other experiences. The hands with the handcuffs symbolizes the struggles and challenges faced by many people who may feel trapped by legal systems and immigration policies. On the sides you see two different flags and a border above them, that represents the auhority and the power of the legal system and shows how much power they have over many individuals. The gavel represents authority and the power of the legal system, while the scales of justice symbolize the tracking of fairness and equality. The illustration of God’s face above the border means reassurance, reminding you that you are never alone in you’re struggles, helping to guide you through challenges and offering help when things get difficult. This captures the idea that our identities influence not only our individual stories but also our mutual understanding of justice.”
A Weathered History
The scars below the chest signify a trans individual who was able to pursue their transition, despite the many hardships they undoubtedly faced. The eyes on the chest signify defiance in the face of adversity, staring back at those who scrutinize their identity. This statue shows that although many political and public figures may try to erase or belittle the history of trans people, we have always been here – represented in art, culture, and media. Trans people deserve to see their bodies represented and their issues spoken through art.
Mutual Healing
Recently, I went driving with my dad to a wilderness area and enjoyed being in the bright sunshine, taking the time to be outside and clean up the environment with someone I loved. It made me reflect on how, in many cases, lifting ourselves up often involves lifting up others as well, directly through companionship, but also indirectly with acts of charity.
Rocketship
It’s hard to be in a situation where being mistreated has become common. It starts small, but it spirals out of control. However, the hardest part isn’t having your worth undermined each and every day, it’s the possibility of letting go. So much could go wrong, and sometimes it feels like your mental health and sense of self-worth aren’t a lot to sacrifice. But they are. You shouldn’t be told your worth by others, others have no right to put a value on you. Yet, they do, and all you feel like you can do is… let them. That’s when you realize it’s time to let go. It’s hard, sometimes that person(s) is deeply involved in your life, but that makes it more important to do so. It’s hard to heal and move on because maybe that person was your rock to lean on. It’s hard to sleep because they’re in your head 24/7, and you see them in everything you do. But when it’s all over, and you look back to see how far you’ve come, you’ll know you made the right decision.
Moving Forward
My art explores the emotional and transformative journey of someone who begins their path feeling lost, inexperienced, and overwhelmed by the challenges life throws their way. When I started skating, it taught me a lot about perseverance. When I first started, I kept falling and felt judged by others at the park, but I didn’t give up. With time and practice, I started to skate more confidently and even landed my first ollie. That progress made me realize that anything is possible with effort and persistence.