Exposure Therapy

2020

Artist Statement


Exposure Therapy is a series of photographs recording my personal struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and my efforts to overcome it. As the subject of this series, I intentionally expose myself to my OCD triggers and work to ignore my obsessive thoughts and resist performing compulsive behaviors while learning to tolerate my feelings of extreme anxiety and discomfort. The inspiration for this body of work comes from a type of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention, a common treatment method for OCD. Each image in the series is a digital construction of two or more separate images, resulting in chaotic and disjointed compositions. These fragmented compositions are intended to reflect the severe anxiety and discomfort I experienced while confronting my OCD. The purpose of this photo series is to help people to better understand the negative effects OCD can have on one’s quality of life as well as show how much determination and strength it takes for someone to overcome it. 

Abstract artistic collage with overlapping geometric shapes and distorted textures in muted tones.
Surreal portrait with geometric fragments and butterfly elements creating a fragmented artistic effect.
Close-up of a dog's mouth with abstract overlays and geometric shapes creating a distorted effect.
Abstract composition featuring colorful translucent shapes with overlapping geometric patterns.
Multiple exposed hands reaching out with overlapping triangular shapes in muted tones.
Abstract explosion scene with shattered fragments and geometric patterns in grayscale.
Abstract collage of red and blue shapes with geometric overlays in multiple exposures.
Artistic composition of hands with overlapping geometric shapes and green accents.

Online Exhibition

Senior Show FALL 2020