Through my work, I explore the hidden aspects of self-awareness—the forgotten spaces, secrets, and memories we often bury; the trauma we hide even from ourselves. We are shaped by the choices we make and the mistakes we carry, with certain parts of our lives locked away from view—our secret, personal narratives. Through the use of recurring elements and certain symbols, I bring my own personal narratives to light, reflecting on the darker, recondite corners of my life. In doing so, I hope to offer viewers a moment of introspection, where they might recognize a forgotten part of themselves or discover something new. In that moment, in this shared reflection, we can find the common thread of what it means to be human: simply the accumulation of experiences, both unique and universal. Ultimately, my work is an invitation to share the experience of confronting those hidden layers, to embrace the discomfort of the unknown, and to find beauty in the unfinished.
©Eric Rottcher