This painting series was initially inspired by my experience watching a close friend struggle with body dysmorphia. The final body of work I produced, titled “Ego Death,” is meant to confront the complexity of identity and the fragility of self-image. Ego Death, or the complete loss of subjective self-identity, is something that I believe we all experience in small ways. One of the major challenges we all face is cultivating a strong sense of self and accepting ourselves with all our virtues, idiosyncrasies, and most of all, physical imperfections. This body of work represents that ongoing struggle and encourages viewers to look inwards, instead of focusing on the inconsequential physical flaws they perceive in themselves.