Rinde (Tree Bark, German)

Rinde (‘tree bark’, German)
August 18, 2024.
Unframed, but has mounted hanging fixtures.

59.4 x 84.1 cm (23.4 x 33.1 inches)

Materials: art board, archival print, chiyogami and washi paper, acrylic paint, gouache.

Originally photographed in 2019, this person trusted me to document how their self-harm scars had healed. I made this piece to invite others to look at the scars and consider what we know or don't know about our friends and family that they may be hiding, and to confront their feelings and reactions to seeing it so large and in-person. This person is so far past the self-harm now that this piece turned into a celebration of hard work paid off. I’m so proud of them for how far they’ve come in life and am so happy with how this turned out.

Once again, broken is beautiful, our scars tell a story that deserves veneration, and I believe this person is on their second life at this point.