In his book
The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm mentioned the inherent conflict in wanting to be
loved as an individual and wanting to belong. We want to be special, unique,
individual and yet we need to be part of society, accepted, not outcast. Both
are essential to our survival and sense of well-being and yet they appear at
odds. I suppose this is the origin of our personal masks; temporary shields to
our true selves in an attempt to be accepted and to belong.
Before I had
a design for this challenge I knew I had to construct it as a collage. A raw edge collage. Fuzzy, overlapping,
uniquely shaped pieces. Kind of like me; comprised of fragments of experience
and emotion.
I named my
piece Primal Scream because, as Erich Fromm suggests, I have a primal longing
to be known deeply and honestly for who I am. This involves removing my masks,
revealing myself and risking rejection. It’s a work in progress…a lifetime of
work! The way I figure it: you can’t go wrong if you act out of love. So
actually, the biggest challenge isn’t removing my mask but ensuring that the
origin of my actions is love.
The quilting
of Primal Scream reads:
“…behind the
mask the truth of who I am is complex and multifaceted yet centered in LOVE”
I used Shiva
sticks to emphasize the words "Love" and "Who I am".
I think you have struck on something with Erich Fromm's observations on the need for individuality and acceptance. I think a lot of us wrestle with that balance..and yet, there are those who seem to transcend the need for belonging and push the envelope. Trendsetters? Can they function without a mask better than the rest of us? I asked myself so many questions this challenge. Your collage is very multi-faceted! I like the use of negative space....sort of screaming in the darkness.
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