'The Place Of The Inferiority Complex'

It is assumed that young artists take themselves too seriously. This self-portrait is drawn from a reference image taken some years ago, during a difficult period of my life which manifested in a significant weight gain. The forced smile of the sitter represents a thin veneer of confidence that is presented during the contrived ritual of a photo being taken. Within this social media dominated world, many millennials maintain various facades for themselves to feel accepted as we continue to focus on a digital reality.
The text used as the canvas for this piece is most appropriate for an image, of which I think captures the essence of the place of the inferiority; placing myself in a place of vulnerability within an extremely cathartic artwork.
150 X 210 mm