(Ant)isocial

 
(Ant)isocial, acrylic and ink on cardboard, etching on paper, May 2019

(Ant)isocial, acrylic and ink on cardboard, etching on paper, May 2019

(Ant)isocial is a reclusive ant who represents my social anxiety. A few years ago, I would have considered the ant depicted in this etching somewhat of a self-portrait. I have since gotten better at managing and soothing this meddlesome ant in order to spend time with friends and family. Although he is still often my plus-one in social settings, he now has a home to retreat to when he is feeling uncomfortable. The beauty of this arrangement is that I can be with people that I care about, and the ant can be drinking his martini and smoking in his one-room apartment. The ant used to insist that I join him as he retreated home, but now he prefers to be alone in his own comfortable space while I am out with people.

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