Headshot
30"x 24"
Acrylic on canvas
August 2024
i sold my soul for a salary
i smile real big
& act like it isn’t destructive
gold stars like grade school
emotionless linear growth
a facade is all I know
Headshot is a deeply personal reflection of the emotional and existential toll that comes with sacrificing one’s passions and identity for the pursuit of financial stability. The distorted figure, dressed in a corporate suit, represents the way we often lose ourselves in the grind of professional life—how the pressures of a "salary" and societal expectations slowly erode our individuality. The fragmented face, especially the exaggerated eye, captures the internal chaos and disorientation that comes with that loss.
The title, Headshot, plays on the idea of the corporate headshot—a polished, controlled image of professionalism—juxtaposed with the messy reality beneath the surface. The figure is caught between maintaining a facade and grappling with the inner conflict of having "sold my soul for a salary."
With this piece, I wanted to challenge viewers to think about the balance between personal fulfillment and the societal expectations that push us toward conforming to roles that may not align with our true selves. It's a reflection on the cost of losing sight of who we are in exchange for what we think we need to be.
