Dimensions of Self
Dimensions of Self
Embedded Files
Dimensions of Self is a creative exploration of identity and purpose, memory and inheritance—karmic and familial—to heal generational wounds and conflicts. The project includes poetry and writing, drawings and paintings, books and zines, and a forthcoming multimedia exhibition.
I started working on this project several years ago to help me understand and honor my life, specifically after having experienced sexual trauma in my early 20s. I was betrayed and wounded by two individuals, one of whom was my intimate partner, and the other, someone I was close to and trusted. After the abuse, I became angry, depressed, and full of resentment. I was masterful at hiding my feelings from others and suffering in silence. My instinct was to protect those involved because I loved them and didn't want their lives to be ruined, even though, in a sense, mine was.
One way I coped was to focus on my own healing process, which included getting a PhD in transpersonal psychology. I was especially interested in learning about family systems and the role that power plays in relationships. After 30+ years of study and personal growth, I have come to believe that healing is not a place where we arrive, and then we are done. Rather, it is a life-long journey where we experience moments of stillness, and moments of peace, and if we are lucky, those moments extend into greater periods of time. But, for many of us, we continue to experience pain (emotional and/or physical) and suffering, even after doing all the things we were told to do, like meditation and prayer and all the latest therapeutic and healing modalities.
Even so, the only way forward is through, and the more that we can sit in a place of truth, and the more that we can accept who-what-and-where we are, the more we can grow in awareness, which I believe is the point, or at least part of it. For me, the creative process is an essential part of my journey. When I write, or draw, or do something creative, I feel a shift inside my being, and for a time, I feel better. My purpose in producing Dimensions of Self was to have a better understanding of myself, my family, and my life, and my hope is that it also inspires others to explore these themes for themselves.
My Heritage includes stories about my Greek family and ancestors from my father's paternal side, my Irish, German, Dutch, and Scottish ancestors from my father's maternal side, and my Nicaraguan family and ancestors from my mother's side.
Book Specs: Hardcover with hand sewn, Coptic binding; 100 pages, 8.5" x 11", full color (archival pigment ink).
My Parents is the story about how my parents met, what their life was like (from my perspective), why they decided to divorce (when I was 12 years old), and their life afterwards.
Book Specs: Softcover with hand sewn binding; 32 pages, 8.5" x 11", full color (archival pigment ink).
My Life includes stories about being born in Managua, Nicaragua, growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, living in Texas, Florida, and California, and other details about my life, including a traumatic experience and subsequent search for meaning.
Book Specs: Hardcover with hand sewn, Coptic binding; 120 pages, 8.5" x 11", full color (archival pigment ink).
Divine Guidance includes messages that were channeled by my husband while he was in an altered state about my life and healing journey.
Book Specs: Hardcover with hand sewn, Coptic binding; 140 pages, 5.5" x 8.5", black and white pages.
Why am I Greek, Irish, German, Dutch, Scottish, Nicaraguan? contains channeled messages about my heritage and why I was born into those specific cultural paradigms.
Book Specs: 12-page accordion fold with paperback cover and hand sewn inserts; 22" x 17".
Timeline: Infancy to Middle-Adulthood is a "spreadsheet" accordion book where I have input specific details to help me keep track of every year of my life: where I lived (we moved a lot), the school I attended, who I was in love with, where I traveled, as well as major events in my life.
Book Specs: 18-page accordion fold with hard cover; 6 5/8" x 8".
My Family Tree is a diagram of family members and ancestors on all sides of my family, going back to the 1600s. The book combines an accordion fold with fold-up pages.
Book Specs: 14-page accordion fold (8 across and 6 down) with hard cover; 10" x 8.75".
Inner Dimensions includes poetry, art, and writing about the trauma/s I experienced in life as well as the things that helped me on my healing/life journey.
Book Specs: Acrylic cover with hand sewn, Coptic binding; 80 pages, 8.5" x 11", full color (archival pigment ink).
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse