SARAH GOBELL

Paradox Artist Statement

 

A paradox can mean a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory qualities. A lot of times people can act one way around their friends or peers when in reality they feel a completely different way. Depression and sadness are uncontrollable feelings that can overtake someone in a serious way. Often times when someone is depressed they try to mask their feelings and put on a happy face. My photo represents a girl with her friends, seemingly happy and having a good time. When in reality she is depressed and unhappy. The paradox in the photo is the statements on the balloons seem untrue and are contradictory to the girl’s emotions shown in the photo.

 

I gained inspiration for this concept by personal experience with depression and trying to hide it. When I had depressive feelings I didn’t want people to know I was upset, especially my friends. I would put on a happy face and act like I was having a good time when in reality my thoughts were full of sadness. In order to take this photo I needed some girls together looking like they were hanging out looking happy. I also needed balloons with depressing statements, to represent someone’s thoughts. The balloons read “I am depressed”, “I hate this” and “I don’t want to live”, which seem the opposite to the girl’s facial expression.

 

While taking this photo I was reminded of the horrors of depression. You might not know when someone is depressed in they try to hide their thoughts or feelings. It may seem contradictory when someone says they are depressed but acts happy, but acting happy can just be a mask.