Rooms I Carry

Artwork story

This piece reflects the idea that feeling safe and at home begins with keeping peace in your mind. The house, filled with fragmented scenes and small figures, represents the complexity of our thoughts;how they move, build, and sometimes overwhelm us. Rather than viewing the mind as something that needs to be fixed, I explore how healing comes through awareness, balance, and acceptance. The scattered moments within the space suggest that it is not about controlling every thought, but about learning which ones to hold onto and which to let go. Through this work, I express that when we create peace within ourselves, we can find a sense of safety, comfort, and belonging wherever we are.

This painting was created for a class assignment divided into three stages: Zeitgeist, Four Moods, and Mufo’s Door. Each stage helped me develop my concept further. For the first stage, I had to present ten zeitgeists, trends or major issues present in today’s world. My favorite concept explored the feeling of being overwhelmed and trapped in overthinking, which I represented with the image of a baby doll’s head exploding. The symbolism of the baby then had to be carried into the following two assignments. For Mufo’s Door, the final painting, I wanted to express how coping mechanisms can help people become less consumed by their thoughts and more connected to the present moment. The small babies placed in each room encourage the viewer to reflect on which coping mechanism resonates with them the most. I have personally struggled with feeling overwhelmed, and these coping mechanisms are what help me clear my mind, or, as my therapist says, reconnect with the present. Feeling at home in your own mind allows you to find comfort not only within yourself, but also in the people and things you love, your partner, your home, your favorite food, or your hobbies. Anything can feel like home, but nothing compares to the feeling of a peaceful mind.