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Artist: Pahwa Yang
It is usually when we are most restricted of our abilities and resources, that we suddenly become aware of who we are. The Hanged One encapsulates this feeling fully, as the reflection in the water creates a daunting yet comforting sense of knowing what we see in ourselves. It is introspection and self-reflection that this card provokes in the viewer; a sense of feeling stagnant and imprisoned in the moment but present, tranquil, and reflective in all aspects of time and space. The Hanged One allows for the viewer to sit in thought and rest their mind upon the unknowns as well as what the future holds. Being able to confront these ideas helps reveal who we are and how we approach uncertainty.
IMAGERY
I chose perspective, yet again, to encapsulate the suffocating and intimidating feelings that college can create. It was important for me to fully commit to and execute this idea because I wanted the viewer to be able to experience such feelings as they interpret the card. So, I made the viewer’s reflection in water as a non-identifying student. They have blue and purple arms, which symbolize introspection. In addition, I wanted to incorporate stained glass from the St. Kate’s Honors Lounge because I felt like that literally alluded to reflection and how honors students participate in an abundance of reflective, discussion-based courses that talk about the circulating issues within our society. Additionally, the light blue eyes of the reflection symbolize tranquility, peace, and calmness, which are all feelings that can be associated with inner reflection. This reflection takes place in the Dew Drop Pond because I believe that thoroughly represents St. Kate’s and its core value of purposeful thought.
RESEARCH PROCESS
I struggled to find the proper format for this card, especially because the concept was so broad and abstract. However, I did end up finding several sources of inspiration for the final product. My biggest research for this card was mainly on Pinterest because that’s where I found the best inspiration, especially for perspective drawing. All the links are cited in the bibliography because I think comparing the inspiration to the actual art I executed throughout my research, drafting, and final process would be interesting.
MOST IMPORTANT SYMBOLS
The most important symbols within this card are the reflection and the stained glass. They play a compatible part in demonstrating how college surrounds us with several opportunities to reflect on who we are and how we deal with change. Both symbols are taken directly from the St. Kate’s campus, representing how St. Kate’s constantly influences students to reflect and learn about themselves.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
pahwayangg. “The Hanged Man (Повешенный).” Pinterest, 16 Oct. 2024, www.pinterest.com/pin/769552655110364960/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
pahwayangg. “Reflections.” Pinterest, 9 May 2012, www.pinterest.com/pin/769552655110637184/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
pahwayangg. “Madeline Hutchinson.” Pinterest, 30 Oct. 2024, www.pinterest.com/pin/769552655110637208/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
“Hanging Man Tarot Card.” Pinterest, 2020, www.pinterest.com/pin/769552655110325527/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
REFLECTION OF ST. KATE'S COMMUNITY
My choices in this card’s imagery directly reflect St. Kate’s values of reflection, thought, and action. Sometimes, we must use our paralyzing decisions and introspective experiences to reflect on who we are and where we stand with our morals. However, it is that brief moment of stagnancy that allows us to discover what it is we either need to fix about ourselves or use and expand on to grow as humans and college students. All these thoughts are prevalent in the St. Kate’s community as I have seen senators on the Student Senate sit on ideas and concepts for weeks on end just to decide that it wasn’t the right path to follow. This idea that we must take time before making a decision is valuable because it truly reveals how important and influential thought is.
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