Description about the painting:

Day 18, 31 Days in March Project

This painting consists of mirror portraits based on an historical silhouette of Alice Cogswell re-interpreted through my experience. The left side portrait is painted with oppressively dark colors and missing puzzle pieces representing my high school experience of language deprivation and the lack of information accessed via simultaneous communication (in a total communication program). Because I was not exposed to full language access, I did not fully understand information I needed for learning and the development of a positive self-image. In addition, the lines coming from the eyes---this view of life--is narrower and more limited as compared with the lines coming from the eyes on the right. The one yellow puzzle piece on the left symbolizes hope in the mist of oppression. The brightly colored portrait on the right is complete without any missing pieces.
This communicates the feeling of wholeness of identity—a pride in being Deaf which was nurtured from a life with a complete and beautiful language. As a whole, the painting is a commentary on the mental health of Deaf people and the tragic consequences of language deprivation.