Fragmented

2021

Plaster

3" x 30" x 13"

In many times throughout my life I have felt fragmented—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In an attempt to display this tangible and intangible conflict I created the Fragmented series. Experimenting with plaster and mold-making, a process and a material I had never used before, I created three identical casts of my face. A rubber mallet was then used to break and "fragment" two of the three faces to different extents—a jarring but cathartic experience that gave me ownership over difficult periods in my personal growth. The untouched and complete cast represents who I am today. Although I sometimes feel the urge to allow myself to crack and become fragmented again, I have become strong and withstanding instead of fragile and breakable. All three sculptures remain as a testament to the process of repairing myself. Instead of putting the pieces back together, I acknowledge the pain I once felt. Each version has allowed me to become the final installment of this triptych: solid and unbroken.