Erin Kann

Erin Kann, 2018

Oil paint on canvas

10 x 20

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This piece was created as part of a series that aims to depict the invisible feelings of fear, anxiety and sadness, if they were worn on the outside of the body and were visible to onlookers like clothing. The artist explores the idea of wearing a mask, or an outer image that's pleasing for onlookers while bottling up unpleasant or inconvenient truths on the inside. In this piece, the figure is unzipping their outer skin and discarding it as if coming home after a long day and taking off their coat, releasing their true form. The figure's body language indicates relaxation or relief; what's visible of their facial expression is relaxed, their shoulders are back, hands unclenched, and they are taking natural, leisurely steps as if they are releasing their inner self without missing a stride. Maybe this is something this figure does every evening. The artist created this piece to express that in times of personal turmoil, we may feel as if we're living a double life: the life where we go to work and contribute positively in meetings, buy food from the farmer's market, make idle chit chat with passers by on the subway; the life where we're expected to check our personal baggage at the door. And our second life, which we live only when we're in solitude, where our sadness won't ruin the party or disrupt the atmosphere at work. Our second life, where we can let the inner sadness and pain out, is private. The figure is only half undressed of the skin; almost two completely even halves, as the artist reminds viewers that it's important to let those feelings out and that it is normal to feel them and to express them, but to process trauma constructively without allowing sadness, anger or grief to consume you as you heal and... Let It Out.