The following sculpture is created by multidisciplinary artist Charlotte Sigurdon and is a part of their “life and damage” art collection. With the use of Raku clay, we see the sculpture of a head with what appears to be different shapes of scarring around its head. The expression of the face appears emotionless, thus attention is focused on the swirling scars it possesses. 

Sigurdon notes this piece is a representation of the accumulation of damage, or trauma, an individual may experience, and how these scars transform into being a part of their story and who they are. Rather than viewing these scars as reminders of painful memories, Sigurdon’s art conveys we should rather shift our focus to appreciating how beautiful a long-lived life can be. 

This is a crucial message beautifully delivered as this art piece embodies the beauty that arises from the difficult situations people experience through life. While many may see their negative experiences as burdens, only a shift in perspective can bring a new light to our experiences, bringing us gratitude for each of our individualistic journeys! 

View the original artwork here

Feature image: Photo by Rahul Chavan on Unsplash