Acrylic, hardware on linoleum sheeting; 27" x 96" x 48" inches.

 

During graduate school, I faced a severe mental health crisis and made the decision to admit myself to an inpatient program at the VA Medical Center. This piece reflects the experience of medical confinement, inspired by the oversized hospital bracelet I was given after my personal belongings were taken—a symbol of both care and control. The work also responds to the broader context of the COVID-19 pandemic, when rising death tolls, isolation, and quarantine measures contributed to an increase in suicide rates. These conditions helped lead to the establishment of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, underscoring the urgent need for accessible mental health support.