Fragility

Life through a glass house 

All these pieces         I can see you now

Broken and scattered         I can see the love in your eyes

In mercy gathered                       Laying yourself down

Mended an whole                        Raising up the broken to life                          Empty-handed

But not Forsaken             …               ---Broken Vessel, Hillsong.

Our society pressures us to stay strong and fight regardless of the consequences, so sometimes we fail to realize that we or someone else needs help before it is too late.  People expect us to keep up with the world, and family and friends often fail to notice when we fall behind.       

People need to pay more attention to the little things, especially among the youth, when they observe that something just doesn't seem right or when they say something concerning even in a playful manner. We are living in stressful times and suicide rates are climbing.

In choosing suicide as my topic, I want to bring more awareness to this alarming issue. People are so busy with their lives that they do not see the signs of someone who is suicidal that can be treated and prevented. The reason I chose this topic is that I am deeply moved by the fact that people suffer so much pain that they are willing to take their own lives. The hopelessness is felt by both the person who commits suicide and their loved ones.

My choice of medium for this project corresponds with my topic, suicide. Glass is a fragile medium and a fragile topic. However, it is also sharp, nearly as sharp as the world to the suicidal and the pain their loved ones endure from suicide. Glass throughout my work is symbolic for many things: We have lost sight of how some people suffer. The glass symbolizes that the person can see through it, along with the world. Yet we are blind to how some people suffer. It symbolizes that the person has given up while the world goes on as usual.

My art can be seen on both sides and the cracks can represent both the brokenness and the survival they are barely hanging on to. It represents rebirth and that it is never too late to rise stronger. The cracks are symbolic that a new self can emerge. Even though broken glass is viewed as negative and in my work, as it does represent the fragile state of mind. The shattered glass can also be viewed as positive in my work as it is symbolic of a new beginning. It gives one the idea of loud noises and chaos and is symbolic that one can break free from the darkness and pain.

The purpose of my artwork is to raise awareness through the use of glass in order to help people better understand the world and to make suicide signs more understandable and clearer.

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