Balancing Chaos | "Scarred"

Balancing Chaos| "Scarred" is an emotionally charged self-portrait that explores the internal and external consequences of trauma. The work serves as a metaphorical portrayal of familial rejection—by those who were meant to protect, nurture, and uplift. The artist depicts herself as a burn victim, her face distorted and scarred, symbolizing the deep emotional wounds inflicted during a violent and traumatic encounter—an attempt to extinguish her inner light.

At the heart of this piece is a raw sense of being unseen, unheard, and unhealed—the very state her family sought to maintain through a cycle of codependency and control. A scar on her back, left by a shard of glass during the incident, becomes a permanent reminder of betrayal and pain. And yet, it is also a mark of resilience. While the experience tried to silence her, it could not destroy her spirit.

The absence of compassion and acknowledgment from her family transforms this work into a powerful commentary on the silence surrounding jealousy, emotional abuse, and the suppression of authenticity. "Scarred" reveals how those closest to us—driven by their own unhealed wounds—can try to dim the light of another. Yet despite their attempts, her light endured.

This piece invites viewers to reflect on how people can be made to feel invisible, diminished, or erased by those they love—and the profound strength it takes to heal and to reclaim one's identity. Through this experience, the artist came to understand that her light is not something to be surrendered or hidden. Protecting it became her act of resistance; dimming it was what others hoped she would do.

Ultimately, "Scarred" is an act of reclamation—a bold declaration of truth, healing, and grace. In exposing her truth, the artist steps out of invisibility. In sharing her story, she transforms pain into power. And in choosing to shine despite the chaos projected onto her, she rises—resurrected and whole—embodying the light that was always hers.