To start our self-portraits, we were tasked to make lists of things that build our personality and identity, ranging from cultural factors to how we perceive ourselves and symbols that we use to present ourselves. Afterwards, I decided to illustrate a few of them tanging from the “evil eye” which is a huge part of Turkish culture, to the fish and the apple tree which are symbols that I often use to identify myself.
Once I had an idea for the message of my self-portrait and the symbolism that I wanted to incorporate, I was able to create a few composition sketches. Once I had three solid ideas, I explored the one with the petals falling out of my face and devised other ways of improving it. Resulting in a composition including the apple tree flowers and a fish with an evil eye.
The final version of my self-portrait is a version of myself today and where I came from. In Luxembourg, there is a tradition where a child is born; they are gifted a tree that will grow throughout the years. I was bestowed with an apple tree, representing my growth. The evil eye symbolizes protection, breaking before something terrible happens to its wearer. Finally, the fish represent myself and my identity as a person today. Therefore, as I grow up and see the hardships of life, I don’t want to let go of my childhood and try to catch the last parts of it with the falling petals. Nevertheless, I know the fish will protect and allow me to grow.