Her Monarch and Viceroy

This self-portrait explores the concept of self-awareness as it pertains to individual authenticity. The figure looks back at the viewer (myself/artist) with a serious and cautious expression to personify the cautious/critical inner voice. The two similar looking butterflies at the right of the piece, the Monarch (poisoness) and Viceroy (not poisoness) represent the duality that coexists between the authenic-self and the survival mechanisms that often evolve to mask what we may percieve as our 'weaker' parts of ourselves. The vascular/branch-like elements are remisicent of the connectivity I feel between the tangible and intangible as of existence. These aspects move through the heart of my identity. The chair and figure merge into one form. This is a nod to the idea of chair as stand-ins for lovers and explores the effects of codependent relationships. It is created with acrylic and water-soluble oil.