Yu, Jared

This self-portrait is titled “TRAPPED”. I wanted to embody the overwhelming sensation of feeling alone throughout the pandemic. For me COVID-19 only proved to amplify the issues I’d been dealing with, making it more difficult to cope. Ultimately, I wanted to capture the hopelessness I’ve felt and experienced from those that I care about around me. And to say that it’s okay to feel scared or like nothing is good enough. The boxes are intended to represent my state of mind, manifested as a mess which I’ve become entangled in. With the towering clutter accumulating around me due to the pressures placed on myself to thrive by my own expectations. The spotlight on the other hand offers a glimmer of hope, a beacon of light through the otherwise dark scene.

Jared is a recent graduate from UBC and was born here in Vancouver, BC. His art style consists primarily of self-portraits and photos of friends.