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2024. 5’ x 4’. COLORED PENCILS, BLACK ARCHIVAL PAPER.
Chemically (I'm)balanced is a deeply personal exploration of mental health, disability, and perseverance. This 5' x 4' colored pencil drawing, rendered on solid black paper, reimagines my ongoing prescription bottle installation through a new medium. The piece captures my sculptural work's intricate forms and interconnected patterns, translating its tactile essence into vivid, meticulous detail.
For eight months, I poured myself into this drawing, the longest I've ever spent on a single piece. The process became as therapeutic as it was grueling, mirroring the painstaking, repetitive gestures inherent in my larger practice. Every loop and curve reflects not only the physical labor of recovery but also the mental and physical oscillations of imbalance and self-restoration.
The title, Chemically (I'm)balanced, speaks to the paradox of relying on medications to regulate an unregulated mind and body, a truth that resonates through my broader artistic exploration of mental health, disability, and societal perceptions of illness. By layering vibrant oranges and blues on an oppressive black backdrop, I aimed to symbolize the weight of these struggles and the flashes of resilience and hope that emerge.
This drawing, like its sculptural counterpart, invites viewers to confront discomfort, find beauty in repetition, and reflect on the hidden value in what society often disregards, whether it's castaway objects or marginalized voices. Through this piece, I hope to foster conversations about mental health, disability, survival, and the healing potential of creative expression.