When asked about my identity and the things that make me who I am, I think about my personality, my aspirations, and my interests.
To begin, I decided to paint a background on the mask resembling that of a sky and clouds. To me, the sky shows that I have so many goals that I have the potential of achieving, and the clouds representing that life is not predictable, but I still have the ability of moving forward.
Next, I decided how I could symbolize the different aspects of my life. In each of the clouds, I placed a symbol of the things that make me the person who I am.
The first symbol that I decided to place was the Polish flag. I take deep pride in my Polish heritage, and it represents where my family comes from and the traditions that have shaped who I am. In Poland, family and community are some of the most valued parts of life, and I carry those values with me every day. To me, my family and the traditions that we have established are very important, as they center around gratitude and love for one another. Additionally, the Polish value of hospitality and care are very important to me, as I try to be of any help for others whenever it is possible.
The second and third symbol I decided to place was a laboratory flask and a tooth. Science is one of my interests and though it can be difficult, I love to see the different functions and properties of life that allow us to live and thrive. Personally, I have really enjoyed my chemistry and biology laboratory classes this semester, so these courses have built a much greater interest and appreciation for science. The tooth is another symbol I decided to put as I hope to become a dentist in the future. Personally, the hands-on and practical skills along with the human connection are some of the reasons I hope to become a dentist.
The fourth symbol I placed was a cross, resembling my Catholic faith. My faith has played a large role in life since I was a child. It has allowed me to find comfort during rough times and to find peace in prayer. Additionally, my faith has allowed me to continue to try to be the best version of myself that I can be.
The fifth symbol I placed was a trio of people. To me, this represents both family and friends. My family and friends are the people that ground me and appreciate life for what it is. I am very fortunate to have people in my life that are very caring and supportive, and this connection I have with my family and friends has made me the person who I am today.
The sixth symbol is a clothes hanger and a shirt, representing my love and interest for fashion. To me, fashion allows me to express myself and allow me to feel good about myself. I love being able to play with colors and structures and find myself through this.
Finally, the seventh symbol I placed was a pair of headphones. To me, music is a comfort that has helped me to get through tough times. Finding connection to an artist and their lyrics reminds me that life is a shared experience and that I am not alone in my struggles. I also just love listening to compositions and instrumentals of music, as these elements in music are very beautiful and captivating.
So, to me, my identity is one that branches off into so many aspects that appreciate life, connection, and human experience.
"How did completing your project help you to explore the role art plays in your life as a New Yorker and how might that connect to the role of art in the lives of your broader community ."
Completing this projected helped me explore the role art plays in my life as a New Yorker in that art is more than images and observations, but that it is a way to express oneself, express their emotions, and express their stories. While completing my project, it made me realize what my true identity was and the aspects of life that I appreciate and find interest in. As a New Yorker, I am constantly surrounded by different art forms, or different expressions of life. There are so many different forms of expression that I am able to see in my everyday life, like street art, photography, fashion, and much more. In creating my mask, this form of art allowed me to tell my story, celebrate my culture, and express my goals, just like how others in the city use various art forms to do the same.
