Presenter Information

Bear Cooper
Sheila Goloborotko

Faculty Sponsor

Sheila Goloborotko, MFA

Faculty Sponsor College

College of Arts and Sciences

Faculty Sponsor Department

Art & Design

Location

SOARS Virtual Conference

Presentation Website

https://unfsoars.domains.unf.edu/s-e-l-f-a-visual-study-of-dissociation/

Keywords

SOARS (Conference) (2020 : University of North Florida) -- Posters; University of North Florida. Office of Undergraduate Research; University of North Florida. Graduate School; College students – Research -- Florida – Jacksonville -- Posters; University of North Florida – Undergraduates -- Research -- Posters; University of North Florida. Department of Department of Art; Art History and Design -- Research -- Posters; Arts and Humanities -- Research – Posters

Abstract

Experiencing prolonged sexual abuse can lead to a shift in the sense of self as the mind tries to protect itself. Depression, low self-esteem, guilt –– these are all symptoms we frequently hear associated with the aftermath of trauma. They are mentioned enough that we consider ourselves familiar with them. However, symptoms like depersonalization and alexithymia are symptoms not commonly understood. This visual study examines these dissociatve symptoms by looking at the separation of the body and mind that occurs after sexual trauma. S e l f is an etching-based creative research to understand these psychological aspects of processing sexual trauma. This series was created out of a need to understand how sexual abuse affects the psyche. Diving deep into scientific journals provided me with technical indicators. I read scientific studies, took diagnostic tests, and reflected on how that information related to my experiences. This scientific approach then drove my creative process. I used acid etching and other printmaking techniques to create a visual representation of my experiences that built on my scientific understanding. This interdisciplinary method resulted in a more thorough investigation. By using both personal experience and scientific literature, this series of prints bridges the gap between art and science by creating a visual study of dissociation.

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Apr 8th, 12:00 AM Apr 8th, 12:00 AM

S e l f: A Visual Study of Dissociation

SOARS Virtual Conference

Experiencing prolonged sexual abuse can lead to a shift in the sense of self as the mind tries to protect itself. Depression, low self-esteem, guilt –– these are all symptoms we frequently hear associated with the aftermath of trauma. They are mentioned enough that we consider ourselves familiar with them. However, symptoms like depersonalization and alexithymia are symptoms not commonly understood. This visual study examines these dissociatve symptoms by looking at the separation of the body and mind that occurs after sexual trauma. S e l f is an etching-based creative research to understand these psychological aspects of processing sexual trauma. This series was created out of a need to understand how sexual abuse affects the psyche. Diving deep into scientific journals provided me with technical indicators. I read scientific studies, took diagnostic tests, and reflected on how that information related to my experiences. This scientific approach then drove my creative process. I used acid etching and other printmaking techniques to create a visual representation of my experiences that built on my scientific understanding. This interdisciplinary method resulted in a more thorough investigation. By using both personal experience and scientific literature, this series of prints bridges the gap between art and science by creating a visual study of dissociation.

https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/soars/2020/spring_2020/14

 

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