JODI J. DE LUCA, PhD
As the ramifications and uncertain eventuality of the coronavirus pandemic continue, the critical need for global mental health intervention, and the shortage of mental health professionals, are discussions that mandate worldwide cooperation. Now more than ever, providing a safe and non-judgmental environment for our clients, holding space, remains critical for successful treatment outcome. Moreover, as therapists, we must ensure that we hold space for ourselves as we experience the magnitude of the situation both personally and professionally. Through art, I attempt to advocate for change by capturing the essence of human emotion for a snapshot in time, particularly under the most challenging of circumstances. The goal is to promote a better understanding of human emotion and behavior as they relate to overall well-being.
First Light: Holding Space
(Mixed Media on Canvas Panel, 16” x 20”)
“First Light: Holding Space” represents the global myriad of emotions experienced during the coronavirus pandemic. The focal point is depicted by a human face surrounded by an agglomeration of distinct color contrast. The eyes represent the primary way of communicating one’s state of mind - thoughts and emotions - as they relate to the outside world during a time of global crisis. The face mask symbolizes the interplay between safety and fear, emphasizing the consequential psychological impact of impeding our essential need to communicate with others. Adjacent to the face mask resides a crude replica of the current day SARS-CoV-2 virus particle (COVID-19) with its crown-like spikes encompassing the outer surface of the virion mimicking power and indestructibility. The distortion in the progression of time, particularly during periods of lockdown, and the crusade for hope in the present-day elusive wake of the pandemic, are portrayed via the chiaroscuro effect; darkness illustrating deep despair and desolation, and lightness representing daybreak (first light) and a new journey toward a return to life as we once knew it to be.