Jennifer Hanley - Artist

This preformance is influenced by the idea of conflict of perception within the social sphere. A key interest is, looking at the idea of the perception of the self and society and how it conflicts with the perception of the self, thus causing conflict within ourselves about identity. Another related interest is the relationship of personal memory and collective memory within the social sphere and how the relationship between them has fused and jarred, hence forming and influencing social and personal identities. This is a wide ranging subject and I have looked into different aspects and conflicts dues to misperceptions concentrating ‘closer to home’ this is the idea of “Perception of barriers created by the self and society”.

 

When we are born into a society walls are placed around us to protect, label, limit, and influence our behaviour, and thus to teach, integrate, segregate us and cause us to co-operate. What is more interesting is the mental walls we create ourselves. These personal walls are often influenced by our experiences, understanding and even emotions.  These barriers can be a comfort, a fortification or protection to our confidence and egos, to attempt to hide imperfections from others and push social limits. However there is also a negative effect of this wall doing the opposite, encasing us in our own personal fears and limitations, impairing personal growth and striping confidence. So these barriers are a double edged sword, in someways to push us forward and in other wats, thebars of fear holding us back.