The Cycle of Grief
This piece personifies each stage of grief, depicted by masks of my face made from silicone molds. Each mask is embedded within a wreath, representing the circle of life. From right to left, the wreath begins withered and weakened during the first couple of stages. The first mask, DENIAL, is broken into five pieces; my eyes are wired shut, refusing to see the death, as a withered rose fills my mouth, preventing to speak about the death. The second mask, ANGER, is broken into four pieces; shards of glass pierce my skin, representing the self-harm, as crystals (clear quartz, sodalite, and amethyst) emerge, representing the need to heal. The third mask, BARGAINING, is broken into three pieces; the tips of cigarettes are pressed against my mouth, representing an unwanted addition, as tar seeps from my eyes, nose, and mouth. As the cycle continues and the stages of grief end, the wreath begins to bloom and revive. The fourth mask, DEPRESSION, is broken into two pieces; withered roses pull on my eyes, mouth, and chin, attached by chains.
This represents the weight of depression, the force of losing emotion.
The fifth and final mask, ACCEPTANCE, is intact in one piece. Flowers bloom around my face as the scars from when I was broken remain as a reminder of the loss.