Carmen Nottage

Artist Statement

In the years before returning to my pursuit of art I found myself in a repetitive cycle that felt mundane and purposeless. I was unhappy and felt alone, at that point of my life I thought I had very few options and found myself enveloped in dark thoughts. At twenty-eight I felt like I had an expiration date looming over my head.

For as long as I can remember I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. The world has always felt so big and overwhelming and even as a child I have felt claustrophobic in all the noise. What is your purpose, what will you do with your life, if you don’t do xyz then how will your life have value? I have given myself permission to exist and take up space, allowing myself to let go of the weight of expectations. My work is a confrontation of the struggles and shame I have faced with my personal mental health experiences. It is a creation of quiet spaces of reflection where despite the darkness, being overwhelmed and exhausted, I am able to find my light. I am drawn to using elements of nature as a conduit of self-reflection and healing due to its ability to reclaim and recover even after devastating damage.