Resilience is a word with many synonyms. Interestingly enough, everyone I have met with an opinion on the idea has a particular preference for what to call it. “Grit,” “perseverance,” “determination…” Although it has a slightly different connotation, my favorite is “will power,” as it suggests that strength of mind is the driving force behind one’s actions and position.

My piece is a fairly literal representation of my progress through various perspectives and perceptions. It is inspired by Escher and is an attempt to convey how different the world looks depending on your position/history, while also including my recognition that regardless of anyone’s perceptions, the world is outlined by very literal and concrete processes. For this reason, any viewing orientation is intended to make some sense, and the piece plays on the unbiased and very literal governance of our daily lives by gravity.

Getting to the ground you wish to stand on can be difficult, and can definitely require “resilience.” There are a lot of things to do in the world, but depending on where you are and how you are, the gateways to those things may be or feel intangible. Resilience is not only reaching your desired destination, but overcoming any mental obstacles in your path. I believe any seemingly intangibility or impossibility can be dissolved in perseverance, and perhaps a change in perspective.

As a child, that the world never looked how I wanted it to and that I couldn’t see it the way I wanted to felt oppressing. I think a lot of people have struggled with this at one point—or at least have experienced a conflict born of differing perspectives. I think these struggles are important. They demonstrate the resilience of our societies and communities as we internally struggle together towards an ideal. This is yet another reason why a main theme of this piece is worldview.

My piece represents my transition through various worldviews. They run counterclockwise through the piece chronologically, and have hints of various moments of resilience from my life. One characteristic struggle has been my search for a purpose. My lack of one as a teenager is part of what led me to drop out of high school. I had to realize that people’s expectations of me nor the promise of a good future were enough to engage a sense of motivation. Even “fun” didn’t necessarily compel me to do things. I came to realize that I need a goal of my own, and the work that accompanies goals. That this is important to me in attaining personal fulfilment.

In the most broad sense, my story of resilience is about changing my position in life. To reach my current position, I had to strongly shift my perception and train my self-discipline, and to recognize the situation around me for what it is. My piece is intended to reflect this, and can be travelled counterclockwise several times to demonstrate a general life-history.