2024 Yearbook

Title: "The Color of Trauma".

The piece captures the turbulent and often overwhelming experience of emotions, embodying the chaos and flux inherent in traumatic experiences. The dominant colours are dark and intense, with deep reds and blacks representing the pain and anger that often accompany trauma. These hues are punctuated by flashes of vibrant, irregular colours—violet, mossy green, cherry red, and blue —that symbolise the unpredictable and often erratic nature of emotional responses to such profound experiences. The interplay of these colours creates a visual representation of the inner turmoil and instability that survivors often feel. The composition is intentionally chaotic, overlapping shapes and lines that intersect and clash. This visual disarray mirrors the fragmentation of self and the confusion that can result from enduring abuse and trauma. The fluid, almost liquid quality of some of the forms suggests the tears and physical manifestations of pain, while the sharper, more angular elements evoke the harsh and invasive nature of the experiences depicted. Through this piece, I aim to convey the depth and complexity of emotions tied to painful experiences, offering a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the psychological aftermath of trauma. The use of colour as a primary expressive tool allows for an emotional connection to the viewer, encouraging empathy and understanding of the intense and multifaceted nature of surviving and coping with physical, and mental trauma.

Sophie Pollock