The Face
Behind the Mask

How can someone as bright, happy and bubbly as you are, Dee, create such dark and scary artwork?

This is a question that pops up quite regularly. It's interesting of course. Perception and what we perceive is our own individual creation. How we present ourselves to the world is forged from our own construction — arguably based on our innate need to fit in, be accepted, be part of a bigger community.

I guess we learn quite quickly that to fit in and be accepted means putting on a brave and happy face. Nobody wants or needs to see actual pain, suffering, angst, sadness — because apparently we've realised that these feelings make people uncomfortable, regardless of the fact that most of us have felt this way at some point. But we know that it's painful to feel these things, so we hide them, bury them, push them to one side, distract ourselves, busy ourselves. Anything to avoid actually confronting real, raw, painful emotions. Why? Because it hurts.

Some of us have become so adept at wearing masks that we've learned to hide all that real, raw, and sometimes messy stuff. In my own experience, spending a lot of energy trying to mask my own inner turmoil only serves to delay growth and avoids a really vital healing opportunity.

So why have I decided to explore this portrait series? Because I truly believe that by allowing my subconscious to flow out using the tools and materials I use to create portraits, I'm giving myself permission to heal any internal traumas. I see it as a cathartic outpouring of emotion — but by using it in an artistic practice, I'm able to share, connect and be open about my process.

In doing this, I've seen other people open up their own wounds and share their painful experiences. This, to me, is the icing on the cake — to be able to affect others in a way that heals brings me so much joy. To raise important issues around trauma, anxiety and mental health in general feels vital, and something I need to be a part of.