Look for Me But Don’t Look Too Hard
2020 - 2021
Photography and Digital Collage
In our modern society, we are encouraged by social media to construct an image of vivid, fruitful and interconnected life, whereas being alone is often associated with negative emotions and connotations. While solitude is seldom studied in psychology, in an article, Solitude: An Exploration of Benefits of Being Alone, researchers Christopher R. Long and James R. Averill discussed how solitude can bring more restorative and positive energy to oneself.
Inspired by this study, the artist embarked on a 5 day journey into the mountains and refrained from social contact to explore the concept of solitude. While the artist has always embraced independence and solitude, on a mountain hike with no one in sight for miles, her mind struggled between looking for others’ company and continuing down the winding roads alone.
This series of collage depict the artist’s elusive and mixed feelings as she tries to maintain and enjoy solitude. It also brings the questions: When does solitude become loneliness and vice versa? Where is this happy medium?
Inspired by this study, the artist embarked on a 5 day journey into the mountains and refrained from social contact to explore the concept of solitude. While the artist has always embraced independence and solitude, on a mountain hike with no one in sight for miles, her mind struggled between looking for others’ company and continuing down the winding roads alone.
This series of collage depict the artist’s elusive and mixed feelings as she tries to maintain and enjoy solitude. It also brings the questions: When does solitude become loneliness and vice versa? Where is this happy medium?
