Holding Hope

This piece, Holding Hope, was created as a response to the events of 2020, delving into the struggle for resilience in the face of uncertainty. The artwork explores the psychosocial and sociopolitical impact of Covid–19 in the midst of the other world events of 2020. Still relevant in 2024, it reflects the overwhelming bombardment of information from the era, through a collage of real newspaper clippings. You are not able to absorb all the information at once, with most headlines overlapping—fighting for your attention—paralleling the disorientation and mental overload that results in psychological/emotional fatigue. In the center of such chaos, from climate change to political justice, is a self portrait. Meant as an artistic catharsis for therapeutic reflection, it became representative of our collective experience and isolation through the mask and the darkened daring demeanor as you look into my eyes. Each viewer has their own interpretation of what my eyes are communicating, interestingly each perspective is very telling as it is a result of projection. This allows my viewers to reflect on their own emotional state, finding a sense of comradery—highlighting the tension between connection and isolation. While the expression may communicate a sort of paradoxical determination and defeat, the dull tones are contrasted with the shade and subject matter of the flower. In my hand I hold up an Iris, a flower that represents hope, depicting a sort of rebellious act– a form of protest and resiliency in the face of adversity. Juxtaposing the complexity and worldly headlines, the Iris is earthly and simple with calm tones of blue and violet. I chose an Iris with the intent of representing humanity’s capacity to find beauty and hope even in the darkest of times. While the aim was to encourage introspection and an invitation to reflect and mourn 2020, I also wanted to instill a sense of inspiration. The Iris is a call to action, a symbol to encourage resilience through hope despite it all. I am still holding onto hope.