Identity Struggling 8 inch by 10 inch oil on canvas NFS see enlarge image

This painting is about a Deaf youth from a mainstreamed program or Deaf school, struggling her/his identity, not knowing where to go, or which way is the right way and is confused where she/he feels like a river in between both worlds.

The colour on the right side shows red, yellow and blue, means visual, bold, and happiness. It represents Culturally Deaf where sign language is the natural visual language for Deaf people.

On the opposite side, where the colours are blue, gray, black and white, represents vague, cloudy, and confusing, which is language deprivation, oppression, and many times a Deaf person feels submissive, and possibly felt pressured by peer, and at home.

The rope tug a war is between the ear and the eye. Ear is to focus on constant listening and spoken language. Eye is for visual sign language. The hands pull the rope back and forth as the person is confused, not knowing which identity to choose from.