The Parallels of Us

The Parallels of Us is a piece that combines design, sculpture, and collage, to celebrate and learn from the diverse stories that make up our community. Rooted in the principles of intersectionality, my endeavor is not just about representation, but about amplifying voices that have been marginalized, overlooked and/or ignored entirely. As a white queer woman, navigating my way through college in a post-covid world, I have undergone so much self-reevaluation and constant reframing of the world around me stemming from my Women and Gender Studies courses. When I decided to take this on as a minor, I had no idea the lasting impact it would have on my design work and passion for these pressing issues in our society. Through the power of art and storytelling, I hope to invite viewers to engage in a process of reflection and empathy. This piece has a mirror in the middle, as well as text and images collaged together, caving in from the wall, creeping onto the reflective surface. The intricate imagery of misplacement invites the viewer to observe at a closer look, to then step back and reflect on where they stand in their environment and with the people around them. Then, a QR code on the mirror brings viewers to a website that brings the collaged physical elements to the digital realm, where they can read stories where people have shared their experiences when they’ve noticed their identity, in order for viewers to walk away and still have access to these different perspectives. These narratives serve as a mirror, allowing those with greater privilege to confront their own biases, assumptions, and blind spots. By incorporating a variety of artistic mediums, I strive to create a multi-dimensional narrative that reflects the complexity of human identity. Ultimately, I hope for people to be more mindful of oppression and marginalization in environments where these situations could be often overlooked. I wanted to create a safe and respectful place for dialogue where we can all learn from each other's perspectives, feelings, and challenges.