Ego ( Installation & Photography)

The Installation and then Photograph "Ego" is an exploration of the complex and multifaceted nature of human identity, delving into the illusions our egos create and the reflections they generate to maintain a sense of existence in the face of nothingness. The artwork features several key elements. First, shards of a broken mirror symbolise the fragmented and distorted ways in which the ego perceives reality. Each piece reflects different aspects or illusions that the ego constructs to survive, scattered and fractured to represent the incomplete and often deceptive nature of our self-perception. At the centre lies a rotten cake, symbolising the decay at the heart of the ego. This core represents the ephemeral and ultimately unsatisfactory nature of the illusions the ego clings to, signifying inevitable decay and disillusionment when we look beyond the surface of these self-created illusions. The entire piece is set against a backdrop of deep black, representing the eternal void from which all things arise and to which they return. This blackness serves as a stark contrast to the glittering reflections, emphasising the transient nature of the ego's illusions against the backdrop of infinite emptiness. "Ego" invites viewers to contemplate the nature of their own identities and the illusions they hold dear. The interplay between the broken mirrors and the rotten core highlights the tension between the ego's survival mechanisms and the profound truth of our impermanence. As the viewer observes the artwork, they are invited to consider how their own ego constructs illusions. What reflections do they see in the shards? What lies at the core of their being? This awareness brings them closer to understanding the nature of existence and enlightenment.