Persona

Digital Photography

Statement:

The private lives of individuals serve as the central focus of my work. In various situations, people put on masks in order to conform to societal expectations. Renowned psychologists Carl Jung and Friedrich Nietzsche referred to these masks as "Persona." Jung contended, "The persona is a projection of oneself that differs from one's true nature, but is what both oneself and others perceive." American psychotherapist Robert A. Johnson described the persona as our "psychological clothing," representing the aspect of the ego that we present to the world for approval. It acts as a mask behind which we can conceal ourselves. However, it is the state of being when individuals are alone that particularly captivates me. I am most interested in observing their authentic behaviors and the disparities in their character between wearing the mask and being in solitude.

To explore this concept, I created a mirrored cube and invited my models to wear it while I captured their photographs in diverse settings. This mirrored cube symbolizes the inner emotions of individuals, which are susceptible to external influences. The mirrors reflect the surrounding environment, embodying the notion of how external factors shape people's lives. From my perspective, each person carries a unique tapestry of memories and experiences within them, which inevitably shape their behaviors and actions.

One of the photos of this project was exhibited in “The Mask” exhibition in Rome, Italy and was published in the LoosenArt magazine for this exhibition.