both / and
When asked to describe myself or my personality, I often have difficulty finding the right words. Each statement that comes to my mind has a counterpart that is also true. This internal conflict caused frustration and confusion with my sense of stability in knowing myself and who I am.
In Dialectical Behavior Therapy, I learned that two seemingly opposite things could both be true and that acceptance and change can happen simultaneously. I became fascinated by this idea that I have opposing forces within me-that these contradicting parts of me exist together, equal to one another.
I am smart and clueless. I am selfless and selfish. I am open and closed. I am anxious and calm. I am sensitive and strong.
The list could keep going.
I am not either/or. I am both/and.
I am a collection of contradictions.
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/a32de416564867.562adec29f9f3.jpg)
full view
3 ft x 4 ft
canvas, thread/string, hand dyed fabric, bandaids, antidepressants,
anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills, sticks/branches, fake flowers
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/93c13316564867.562adee1540f5.jpg)
detail 1
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/70d08716564867.562adf4bb8fb9.jpg)
detail 2
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/8edfee16564867.562adee4444ec.jpg)
detail 3
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/37b0c516564867.562ade47bbb1e.jpg)
detail 4
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/7297a116564867.562ade85b920b.jpg)
detail 5
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/c8b90016564867.562ade4803b74.jpg)
detail 6
![fibers Confessional Art statement personal narrative contradiction DBT therapy internal conflict Paradox Opposite Collection tapestry installation](https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/max_1200/e1139016564867.562adee4e61f2.jpg)
detail 7