Conversations with Myself by Jo Ann Chaus

Issue 180

Upon seeing my first intentional self portrait for an “assignment” in 2013, it spurred a curiosity in me, as if I was seeing myself for the very first time.The ongoing series Conversations with Myself was launched, and has evolved along with me, paralleling the expansion of my self awareness and acknowledgment, embracing the multitudes I discovered I held.

In my practice I continue to comment on the complexities of being a modern woman, juggling the expectations of the classic female roles embedded in me and our social structure, and the self-pursuant drives as an artist and individual.

This collection represents a sensuality present within, regardless of age. As time is non-linear, the past and the present collide and conflate. Through memory and desire, and reflection of one’s self, it embodies a sense of continual becoming.

This work continues to explore my vulnerabilities, while referencing a woman’s psychological state of mind. It is a declaration of courage, confidence and independence; it serves as an invitation for others to look honestly at the past, question its hold and move forward with a truer sense of self, recognizing the power within to choose one’s own narrative.

Jo Ann Chaus (she/her) lives and works in Edgewater, New Jersey.
www.joannchaus.com | @joann_chaus