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Zoe, The Protagonist (2024-)
“Zoe, The Protagonist” is an ongoing photography project that explores themes of self-image, insecurity, the process of unmasking, and the need for constant validation. Using self-portraiture as a tool, I tell my story through an alter ego, a character called Zoe.
The project began after a period of severe social anxiety that led to months of self-isolation. I felt a need to be seen, but at the same time, I was terrified of showing up. For most of my life, I’ve clung to other people and characters, subconsciously mirroring their personalities to gain acceptance. This process was something I only became aware of after being diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 22.
Every human being takes influence from and mimics others in some form at some point in their life. As children, we play different characters from bedtime stories and cartoons; as teens, we start paying attention to the people around us and dress up as our favorite pop stars; and as adults, we might identify with relatable characters and archetypes from TV and cinema. To a certain degree, this is normal. But what happens when you realize that the times when you’ve felt accepted are often the times you’ve tried your best to be someone you’re not?
How would you cope if you came to the conclusion that your whole personality is just one big trauma response?