In my old diaries, I found several disturbing self-portraits as I saw myself as a teen. Many of these drawings exaggerated facets of my body that I detested, and many of my writings included neverending lists of improvements I needed to make to myself before I felt good enough. With these stitched selfies, I remediate this by creating many iterations, some aspirational, some more realistic, using the reparative gesture of embroidery.

As Gwen John, Kind Of, embroidery on cotton, 2014

detail, As Gwen John, Kind Of, embroidery on cotton, 2014

As Someone Who Is Assertive (aspirational swan queen) embroidery on cotton, 2014

detail, As Someone Who Is Assertive (aspirational swan queen), embroidery on cotton, 2014

“But We Have To Look At You”, embroidery on cotton, 2014

detail, “But We Have To Look At You”, embroidery on cotton, 2014

A Closer Proximation of Me At 14, embroidery on cotton, 2014

Detail, A Closer Proximation of Me At 14, embroidery on cotton, 2014

Attempts At Appearing Credible, embroidery on cotton, 2014

detail, Attempts At Appearing Credible, embroidery on cotton, 2014

diary excerpt II, embroidery on cotton, 2014

diary excerpt, embroidery on cotton, 2014

Stitched Selfies Installed for I’ll Cry If I Want To, embroidery on cotton, 2014 (photo by Ashley Gillanders)
- Medium
- hand embroidery on cotton
- Year
- 2014