Mapping the Invisible: Self Portrait — A Map of Rory Grene

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I really enjoyed getting a chance to do the self portrait project- it was so much fun getting to learn to use photo shop (something I never expected!!) and getting to do a project on which I had so much autonomy. In the reading, I saw that having this chance to create a map in which I was the soul authority as an empowering position, and I was deeply grateful for it. “Mapmakers who work by themselves, responsive only to their inner voices, are rare—though their numbers are growing29” (wood 51)
I got the rare chance to have complete agency over my map, which was a thrilling experience I had never previously considered.

I felt like my map was really quite pictorial, which was very much inspired by the beautiful map of Australia by Jimmy Gleeson. I had really enjoyed the colorful nature of his work, and as someone who really appreciates strong visuals, I found Gleeson’s work to be incredibly stimulating. After having seen his map, I wished for my own work to emulate the visual energy that was construed in his tightly woven as of Australia.

As Gleeson chose the outline of the country itself for a portrait, so I chose my own face- although this may seem like an evident choice, I found that there to be a deeper significance to the decision, especially when taking into account that the other background layer was a skull. My theory in using these two images was that in my most essential state, I am human, as is my audience. However, there are certain factors that have changed me from being a human, into being a person. In my case, I found the influences that have engendered my specific individuality to be my relationships with others and myself. This is, essentially, my way of bordering the gap of “this-ness” (me in my primary biological state) and “there-ness” (me in my cohesive social form)- the aspects of the relationships symbolized are the bridges, tunnels, and roads that turn my skull into my face. My map would propose that as a human, I am individualized by these relationships, which it tries to represent.

I tried to represent the outside of my face by layering in a photographic portrait of me, and showing a skull- the concept being that the difference making me “Rory” and not just any other sapient being are the things which I consider really deeply important. I wasn’t sure how to make the symbolism of my piece evident, however, so I interlaced a sign system key in text over the surface of my picture- which seemed to solve that quandary. However, I didn’t want the text to take away from the artistic presentation of my self portrait, so I weaved the system into poetic sentences and faded it into the piece, adding texture to it via another layer. I chose the images based upon the things that I felt made me “me”- different important aspects of my relationships with others and with myself, and created symbols to show the different aspects of these relationships. Because I am, as is everyone, in flux, I have come to accept that this map may not be an accurate depiction of the landscape of my personality in years to come- however, I tried my best to ensure that it was, even just temporarily, truthful.

I chose images I felt were important to represent facets of powerful relationships in my life- I chose Long Island as an eyebrow, because Long Island represents my home. I made my other eyebrow from a paintbrush, to evidence the creativity inside of me, a plane represents my wanderlust, lips show the power of sex, a cross is my religion and center, my eye is a daffodil as my father, because he used to read me Wordsworth’s Daffodils, my mother is shown as a Hershey Kiss- on my nose- my own way of symbolizing the comfort she provides. My teeth are made from the popcorn of the movie dates that I love in my romantic relationship, and my brothers are two monkeys. The sheep in my left cheek portrays my childhood in Ireland, and the baby on my right cheekbone is my hopes and dreams of having children and teaching. I love skiing more than any other activity, and for my it shows a state of exuberance, as shown by the skis and mountain of my chin. Another eye is made from Wuthering Heights, my favorite novel, showing the joy I have in learning. The background as the Atlantic is indicative of my international life, spent between Ireland and Long Island, and the horses represent familial traditions (my own being the equestrian times that are shared amongst my family), and are located on my forehead!

Self-portrait
Self-portrait

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Author: Rosamund (Rory) Grene