2021

In the fall, when I was struggling with my own self confidence, I wanted to make a piece of art that embodied the shame and discomfort of insecurity. I asked one of my classmates, who I didn't know very well, to be my model. While taking reference photos, I saw a side of her that I didn't realise existed. She has always been praised as sort of "perfect" in our school, but when I was taking that photo, I saw ingrained in her expression the complex and deeply saddening emotions I felt when inspired to make "Leave Me Alone." In many ways, it was when I made her 2D that she truly came alive for me as someone I connected with emotionally.