Ondine Williams

Imposter syndrome: who am I to speak?

Then, something clicks, I am not here to please. I chose to pay attention to what I experience. Drowning In Our Fucking Shame is a gateway to an addictive brain.

 

My work is a visual and auditory narrative exploring different states of mind related to substance abuse disorders through an installation of two mohair-covered metal structures inspired by my drawings of the female upper body.

The first, a sculptural representation of a face, is a cone-shaped metal structure wrapped in white mohair yarn, accompanied by handmade pieces of bobbin lace symbolizing the five senses. Through one mouth, speakers in the structure create a cacophony of thoughts that make up a soundpiece of a brain taken over by an addictive substance. The second structure contains audio pieces composed of fragments of thought that tackle the perspective of an addicted but sober brain. By installing them together, the two structures portray different sides of the same coin, the paradox between denial and acceptance of one's condition, between willingness to quit and inability to do so. This contrast continues in a series of mohair silhouettes surrounding the structures. Each silhouette, defined by a specific color palette, represents a different state within the disorder: using, sobriety, craving, and relapse.