Alexa Beattie

How Much More Need I Change?

Human-hyena hybrid in a defensive pose for hyenas, trying to defend the remnants of their identity as the translucency of the skin allows us to see inside them, seeing how empty and amalgamated they truly are, with stitched in bones and human hands and feet. The constant shifting of self-image can make us feel monstrous, like an amalgamation of external expectations that is constantly available for debate, in need of reasoning or rationale for existing, rather than having an internally validated sense of self and security. This method of defence is self-mutilation, not self-preservation; when we create a false front to protect ourselves, we wear away at our identity, teaching ourselves that our natural self is shameful, only perpetuating isolation. Afterall, who would accept us if we can’t even accept ourselves?