Dear Society (2019)
Charcoal on paper, triptych (24 x 60 in)
Created during an elective at USC’s Roski School of Art and Design, Dear Society is a deeply personal work exploring identity, conformity, and self-worth. Composed of three connected panels, this triptych was inspired by a vivid nightmare I had of a many-eyed blob — an image that later took symbolic shape in this piece.
The work reflects my complicated relationship with societal expectations, especially around beauty, success, and cultural norms. Growing up, I often felt that others’ expressions of love came with conditions — attempts to mold me into a more “acceptable” version of myself. This piece became my way of confronting that tension through visual narrative.
Panel One: A single, bold charcoal eye represents awareness and inner strength — a refusal to shrink under scrutiny. It signals my resilience and evolving sense of self-worth.
Panel Two: Dozens of weeping eyes encircle a mirror, creating an atmosphere of social surveillance. When viewers step in front of it, they become the object of judgment. The crying eyes suggest that even society grieves under the weight of its own expectations.
Panel Three: A rolled-back eye depicts the numbness that can accompany conformity. While those who adapt may gain acceptance, it often comes at the cost of personal authenticity. The shared eye folds across the panels reflect my role within society, while the physical gaps between them represent ideological distance.
Though just eight eyes are depicted, each one carries layered meaning. This piece blends personal catharsis with broader critique — rooted in both nightmare and lived experience.
