Description

Original acrylic on canvas

A powerful representation of the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in navigating societal expectations and the pressures to mask their true selves. It shows the internal and external conflicts faced and the interconnection of these elements with the ribbon flowing around them which symbolises the complex nature of these struggles.  

The mice are to represent the careful use of resources – personal energy or emotional output. They also add a lighthearted and imaginative element to the overall nature of the piece to balance the deeper themes of masking and societal pressures with a touch of whimsy and resilience.

The owl represents prophecy – what will happen in the future (something many struggle not knowing)

The book’s titles all represent the internal dialogue that go into a public outing and are all real books. They serve as a poignant reminder of the conflicting emotions and expectations that can weigh heavily on individuals trying to navigate the world that may not always understand or accept them.

The fog in the background is to show the obscurity, symbolising the confusion and challenges that are faced while masking. It’s the cloudiness and lack of clarity that often accompanies the need to hide one’s neurodivergent traits in order to fit in.