Self-Inflicted Asphyxiation

Most women I know can understand the feeling behind this piece. We are often too busy pleasing others to take care of ourselves. Drowning in life but while saying, “I’m Ok” or, “I’m Fine”. Medicating our thoughts and feelings to get through life’s ups and downs. I think this little doll can represent different overwhelming feelings many of us have while trying to live our lives. Not only are her thoughts slowly over taking her, which reminds me of my own anxiety, but she is wrapped in a plastic film. No matter how hard she struggles against the thoughts and medications, she still can’t climb out. This piece was made to represent the dark side of anxiety, societal demands, motherhood, aging women-hood, and the overuse of prescription drugs.

She is made from half a doll, a half bag of used plaster I picked up at a recycle center, newspaper clippings, prescription medicine bottles and needle caps. She is holding a sign made of black plastic and carboard. Wrapped in plastic film.