Serotonin

My mother, sister, and I have a genetic shortage of Serotonin, a chemical in the nervous system that mainly controls mood balance and the sensation of happiness. Around the age of 17, each of us had to bare extreme depression and anxiety until we were able to find the right medication, my mother before technology was advanced enough to properly diagnose her for some time. Because of the electric nature of neurotransmission, I've represented the central nervous system with jellyfish. Jellyfish are such simple organisms they, ironically, do not even have brains, but like our most complex organ, they are very much alive and self-maintaining. Both require specific conditions to function, and this is my take on dysfunction. I built these wearable sculptures to illustrate my anxiety and my mother's depression; my own mind stings me while hers has washed up out of a functional environment completely. I hope you enjoy this deeply personal series.

Mixed Media, 2017