The Concept behind Tension of Opposites stems from my personal experience with the emotional extremes of Bipolar Disorder. This theme holds deep significance for me, as it explores the constant struggle between opposing mental states (mania and depression) while also highlighting the unsettling emotional space that often exists between. Rather than seeing this as a clear divide, I wanted to emphasize how, even in the moments between these extremes, there is no true balance. Its a tension-filled landscape where chaotic and heavy emotions coexist.
My research into the nature of bipolar disorder, specifically its emotional highs and lows,
heavily informed my design decisions. I looked into symbolism that could represent these
fluctuating states, such as sharp, jagged shapes to symbolize manic energy and softer, melting
forms to represent the heaviness of depression. This guided my use of bold, energetic colors
on one side of the composition and darker, muted tones on the other, creating a clear visual
and emotional contrast.
The symbolism in this piece reflects both sides of the mental spectrum. The sharp, angular
shapes and vibrant colors represent the chaotic, overstimulated nature of mania, while the
softer, drooping forms on the opposite side symbolize the heavy, unrelenting feeling of
depression. The upper middle section of the painting, filled with swirling and distorted shapes,
represents the emotional confusion and dissonance of the in-between state-where neither
extreme feels "right," and yet the tension between them is ever-present.
In terms of design principles, I applied strong contrasts in color, shape, and texture to visually
reflect the theme of imbalance. I used symmetry and balance to help in showing how each
state is as heavy and powerful as the other. The use of flowing lines next to sharp, angular
forms plays with the principles of rhythm and movement, giving the piece a sense of instability
and unpredictability. I purposely messed around with different perspectives and 3D forms on
the mania side to add to the confusion and make the piece feel uncomfortable.
Throughout the design process, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding a way to
visually convey such a complex and personal emotional experience without being too literal. By
focusing on abstraction and allowing symbolism to guide the viewer's interpretation, I was able
to overcome this challenge and create a semi abstract portrait. The process of distilling
emotions into visual forms was both a cathartic, triggering, and creative experience, and I
believe the final composition successfully captures the emotional tension I sought to convey.
