The Story of the Mind
The Story of the Mind is an evocative collection that delves into the tumultuous and transformative journey of the human psyche; is a journey through the complexities of mental states, from chaos and fragmentation to confinement and clarity. Each painting explores a different facet of the mental experience, offering a visual narrative of the challenges and triumphs encountered in the quest for mental peace and focus. The collection serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the mind, capable of navigating through turmoil and emerging with a renewed sense of direction.
CHEETAH'S CRY
The dark, erratic strokes in this piece represent the overwhelming flood of thoughts and emotions that can consume one’s mental landscape during times of personal turmoil. The oil marks scattered across the canvas resemble the blurred boundaries of reality and illusion, symbolizing the mind's struggle to discern truth amidst chaos. These marks also evoke the primal force of a cheetah trying to emerge from the darkness, representing the inner strength and instinctual drive that pushes through the mental fog.
MENTAL CAGE
This painting, with its bold, structured lines, represents the mental barriers and restrictions that trap the mind. The oil marks here add a sense of depth and texture to these barriers, making them appear more solid and impenetrable, much like the societal expectations that confine the true self. The rigid, almost mechanical appearance of the marks mirrors the feeling of being trapped within one’s own mind, unable to break free from the constraints imposed by external and internal forces.
SHATTERED SANITY
In "Shattered Sanity," the distinct patches of colour symbolise the fragmented thoughts and disjointed memories that characterise a mind in turmoil. The oil marks scattered throughout the painting further emphasise this fragmentation, representing the scattered pieces of a broken mental state. These marks are not just random but are strategically placed to show the disconnect and the struggle to piece together a coherent narrative from the chaos within.
RAZOR FOCUS
This final piece represents a shift towards mental clarity and focus. The singular, bold stroke cutting through the canvas is symbolic of a concentrated path of thought, achieving clarity and purpose. The oil marks on each canvas serve as a reminder of the struggles that were part of this journey. They are not merely aesthetic elements but are integral to the story, representing the messiness and imperfections that come with the human experience. The marks also resemble the cheetah’s tail, symbolising the speed, agility, and precision with which the mind now navigates its path.
Behind the Canvas:
Unleashing the Cheetah Within
A Journey Through Darkness and Clarity
The inspiration behind ‘The Story of the Mind’ comes from a deeply challenging period in my life. My marriage was unraveling as I discovered my husband was leading a double life with someone else. In the midst of this personal turmoil, I was trying to hold my family together while hating a job that only deepened my anxiety and depression.
During this time, I was also on a journey of self-discovery, exploring my sexuality, and entangling myself in a toxic relationship with a narcissist. There were moments when I felt like I was sitting at the bed with Lucifer himself, engulfed in darkness. Yet, within me, there was a cheetah ready to emerge, a force that would drive me to stand up for myself.
Often, I felt trapped in my own mental cage, confined by societal expectations of who I should be. My thoughts were fragmented and scattered, disconnected from a harmonious alignment of mind, body, and soul. But from this chaos and fragmentation came moments of clarity. I began to see my path more clearly, trusting the process and cutting through the chaos with the speed and precision of a cheetah.
A major inspiration for this piece was a story from Glennon Doyle's book ‘Untamed’, specifically the story of Tabitha the Cheetah. In the book, Glennon describes a cheetah named Tabitha who, despite being in captivity, retains her wild instincts. Watching Tabitha's longing for freedom made Glennon realise that she, too, had a wild, untamed spirit within her, yearning to break free from societal cages and live authentically.
So, embrace the darkness and the speed. Run inwards and understand that you are not crazy- you are a goddamn cheetah! This series captures my personal journey from mental chaos to clarity, and I hope it inspires others to find their inner strength and embrace their true selves.
"Run with the cheetah inside you- fast, free, and untamed by the constraints of the world."
DAKOTA RIVERS