See my work attached as follows
Metamorphosis: Phase 1 - The Caterpillar Tools: Canon Ixus 300 hs, Adobe Photoshop The image is layered with different emotions on the same model to represent conflict. A caterpillar and a caterpillar further layer it in making a cocoon. I wanted to convey how we may imprison ourselves through self-conflict. It depicts a complex relationship between your heart and your reason. Humans are susceptible to the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. It is a conflict between our morals and the darkness within us, even if that is self-loathing.
Metamorphosis: Phase 2 - The Breaking Cocoon Tools: Canon Ixus 300hs, Adobe Photoshop I wanted to convey the next message which is "You are Your Stagnator." I wanted to explore themes of struggle, imprisonment, and the desire for freedom and redemption in a world filled with darkness and corruption. There is a hint of acceptance of the inner conflict brewing as well. The image is layered with smoke on the same model in different positions to carry on with the conflict narrative. It is further layered by a cocoon that is soon broken by the transformation.
The Final Eyes of Clarity and Self-Acceptance is a depiction of the exploration of inner turmoil, desire for liberation, and the complexities of one's relationship with oneself, with elements of hope, longing, and perhaps even a hint of resignation or acceptance of the harsh realities of who we may be.
Phase 3 - The Butterfly For the main image, I drew on the symbolism of butterflies, as mentioned by the sentence and angelic beauty that can be a trap in itself to communicate the idea of being imprisoned or trapped, suggesting a feeling of being confined or restricted, possibly by external forces or one's own emotions. There's a sense of longing for something pure and unspoiled and a desire to escape the darkness and find a " still unseen paradise."
Title: 'My Persona': I want to showcase how they say social media isn’t all black and white however people are quick to judge it as black and white matter. Through the glitches of the broken screen, I express the brokenness that is produced by the harsh judgements representing the other colours that are a part of me but unseen to the world. The black and white image of me represents the coldness, loneliness, the lack of understanding of myself, the unapproachable atmosphere my social media persona may present and more that is up to interpretation. For my self-portrait project, I want to embody my persona as Yuki, the Indian fashion and lifestyle influencer on YouTube and Instagram. To my audience, my social media presence appears flawless, a life of privilege that I openly acknowledge and am grateful for. My content is meticulously curated, showcasing an existence free from visible hardships or struggles to engage in positivity for others and to maintain my privacy. This polished image, however, is also the one that attracts the most criticism. People have access to a carefully edited segment of my life, but they don’t truly know me—neither my moments of depression and struggle nor my softer sides as a friend, daughter, or sister.
Instead of revealing my vulnerabilities or my more intimate personas, I intend to ironically highlight the very online persona that faces the most scrutiny. This will serve as a commentary on the superficial judgments and the often misplaced negativity directed at me. By amplifying this “perfect” influencer image, I aim to underscore the irony and provoke reflection among my critics towards the hate that may stem from insecurity, envy, and a lack of understanding that may be anything but constructive criticism. Through this project, I want to assert that I am confident and happy with my identity. I invite those criticising me without offering constructive feedback to introspect and address their insecurities before pointing fingers. This self-portrait will be a bold statement: a reminder that criticisms often reveal more about the critic than the subject.
Dress 5 - Rebirth : Following the Phoenix, rebirth fully takes hold. This dress signifies a new beginning, a fresh start after the devastation. Dress 6 - Blossom: This dress symbolizes growth, beauty, and the full expression of life returning. It is a time of prosperity and flowering, where everything seems to be thriving and vibrant, showing the full potential of renewal. Dress 7 - Bleeding: the cycle takes a dark turn again. This dress represents the wounds and the hidden suffering that come to the surface. It signifies betrayal, pain, and the bleeding heart, hinting at the return of darkness. The wounds suggest that the darkness has not been fully eradicated. Dress 8 - Broken: The final dress in the cycle is broken. It signifies the collapse back into despair and fragmentation, the ultimate betrayal of the hope and life that had blossomed. The darkness consumes once more, shattering the renewed world and bringing the cycle back to its starting point.
Ashes and Echoes: The Eternal Dance of Rebirth and Ruin Dress 1 - Consume : The cycle begins with consumption. This dress represents the initial stage where the darkness consumes everything in its path, leaving emptiness and despair. The individual, or the world, is swallowed by this overwhelming force, marking the start of the cycle. Dress 2 - Void: After consumption, there is a void. This dress symbolizes the aftermath of the darkness’s hunger. Everything is left barren and empty, with a profound sense of loss and desolation. The void is a silent space where the echoes of what was once there linger faintly. Dress 3 - Burning: In the void, a spark ignites. This dress embodies the burning anger, passion, or drive that emerges from the depths of emptiness. It signifies the start of resistance, a fiery response to the overwhelming darkness. The flames represent both destruction and potential for new beginnings. Dress 4 - Phoenix : From the burning, the Phoenix rises. This dress symbolizes rebirth and the cyclical nature of life. The Phoenix is a creature of myth that rises anew from its ashes, representing hope and renewal. This stage shows the beginning of recovery and resurgence from the darkness.
