Object (2023)
heavencult 2023
/ Object: Purity, hypervigilance, ritual - a look into trauma and OCD.
In January 2023 I took part in an exhibition titled "Object” in which seven artists, including myself, explored the multifaceted concept of an object. My interpretation, Object: Purity, Hypervigilance, Ritual - a Look into Trauma and OCD, delves into the effects of post-traumatic OCD and the intense feelings of disgust that accompany it. In my work the object is dirty, then clean; trusted, then feared. Following on studies on Trauma-related obsessive–compulsive disorder, my work examines how a sense of betrayal can lead to an overwhelming need for cleanliness and order as a coping mechanism.
Central to my experience is the concept of hypervigilance - subconsciously always anticipating danger; a heightened state of awareness that emerged from a history of being too trusting and reckless, which eventually gave way to distrust and an acute sensitivity to potential threats. This shift manifested in my life through ritualistic behaviors and a relentless pursuit of purity, reflecting a transformation from being scattered and unbothered by messiness to becoming a person who relies on order and hygiene for safety. My work invites viewers to consider the ways in which trauma reshapes our perceptions and behaviors, and to reflect on the objects in their own lives that hold similar power.