Project: The Elephant in the Room
The elephant motif was inspired when I was invited to give an oral presentation sponsored by the “No More Whispers Campaign” a local community group whose mission is to address the topic of mental illness and the prejudice associated with this controversial issue. I was asked to share my story about my own experiences with mental illness. One day, as a gift I intended to purchase a large stuffed elephant for my niece at the local supermarket. While running my errands and speaking with my sister on my phone – attempting to do much at once – I lost my wallet. I frantically traced my steps and returned to the pharmacy where I had picked up my medication beforehand. No wallet. On the phone, my sister became a lifeline while I decided to return to the customer service center at the supermarket to leave my phone number if in case my wallet was found. I was noticeably shaken. When I turned to leave, I almost collided with a young woman who, with my of wallet in hand and surmising it was mine, handed it to me with a smile. How grateful I was. Something that was lost, was then found. Just as I was. When enduring the experience of a psychiatric condition one’s personhood deteriorates. I lost my center and my selfhood. However my journey was one of acceptance, healing, and transformation. Although it has been a slow process, i am discovering the person I am born to be.
From this, “Embrace the Elephant” was born. The notion of “embracing the elephant in the room” spoke very loud to me. Utilizing the symbol of the elephant in my artwork illustrated to me how blatantly obvious is the reality of mental illness. It is a problem which needs to be addressed. How do we aim for psychological health while finding ways to put to rest prejudices suffered by those who suffer mental illness as well.
The notion of loss resonated with me, too. I lost and found my wallet. But on a deeper level I lost what it means to be a whole person and integrated person.
It felt as though my freedom was stolen from me. I felt as if I were broken….damaged.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
The night of the presentation, before my talk, I anticipated a panic attack, and it came to be. I suffered through the attack and stood up to the challenge. I experienced a victory that night as my talk was well received. Then I moved onward to accept more challenges.
The elephant motif became an obsession and grew. I created over a dozen large 30”by 40” panels with countless small elephant motifs, several thousand, pasted to the panels. Also, I often collect quotations by well-known figures such as Helen Keller, R.W. Emerson, and Vincent Van Gogh. I included them in my series, Embrace the Elephant in the Room.
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything."
-Vincent van Gogh
