Watercolor

Wood, Acrylic Paint, Memory Foam, Cotton Fabric, Lamp, Paper

Uncomfortable World is a study into the way things seem so mundane and “normal” for the average person while for anxious individuals like myself, struggle can be immense to be comfortable in the most “normal” of situations. By removing familiar color and creating a space that reads as 2D, I hope to bring others into my view of the world, discomforting and unusual. The colors (or lack thereof) are a fun play on the phrase “everything is in black and white”, typically taken to mean that things are plain and simple, which for social things, very rarely seems to be the case for me. This is the fourth piece I have done in this color scheme, each one pertaining to various things I use in my life to make things easier, a black sewing machine with glowing lights to signify the void I get lost in to forget the present and focus on making gifts to make other happy in the future, a light in the shape of a base and treble clef to recall the music that brings short bursts of light to the struggle, and a ladder made of redacted text that shares the writings that kept me alive for so long.

This living space allowed me to work in media I wish to become more comfortable in, including woodworking, upholstery, book binding, and pattern making. Working past fears around tools and new media is one of the ways I’ve tried to treat anxiety on my own terms, forcing myself to learn things before others so I may go back and assist them. Helping is one of the easiest ways I have ever found to interact with other people, so I try to do it often. I’ve never had the pleasure in creating a sculpture that invites interaction, nor one that could be used in everyday life beyond this gallery. I do look forward to the day when the whole series can be displayed together and I wonder how that environment will feel to others.