Inconsistent perceptions

This painting draws inspiration from a 2020 sketch by Nabila Stechman, accompanied by the following introspective words:

“My personality is ever-changing, inconsistent...
You’ll never know the real me, there is no real me...
Just perceptions of myself created in people’s minds.”

The artwork explores the concept of identity as a fluid, ever-shifting construct. It challenges the notion of a singular, "real" self, proposing that the idea of finding oneself is an illusion. Identity, as depicted in this piece, exists only as fragmented perceptions held by others.

Each individual views a person differently, shaped by their unique experiences and biases. Consequently, no two perceptions of the same individual are identical. This painting delves into the complexity of selfhood, questioning whether an authentic "I" can ever exist when it is perpetually refracted through the lenses of others' minds.