I Am Vs. What I See

I Am Vs. What I See is a disrupted realistic self-portrait. I use charcoal for its challenge and to create contrast. I aim to convey movement and emotions rather than strict realism. I use butterflies with eyes on their wings to show the figure’s worried expression reflects the pressure of being watched, showing how people often worry about perceptions and opinions. I also add cultural elements, like a Mexican skull on one side of the face. I did this to symbolize that even if the figure has feelings of insecurity and fear of judgment from others, inside of her is a beautiful, decorative skull. In Mexican culture, skulls symbolize the cycle of life and death, remembrance, and celebration, particularly during the Day of the Dead. They remind people that life and death are connected, honor those who have passed away, and are used to celebrate their lives joyfully. Skulls also represent a link to the afterlife.