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My piece, Disheveled, is an exploration of vulnerability, duality, and the struggle for self-acceptance in a world that often expects perfection. In this drawing, I’ve captured the image of my friend, her face split between two realities. On one side, she wears bold makeup, bright red lip gloss, thick lashes, a version of herself that aligns with society's polished ideals of beauty and confidence. On the other side, her face is bare, marked by a tear slipping down her cheek, revealing the rawness of her emotions. Her messy hair and the act of wiping away the makeup with her hand express a moment of reckoning, where the illusion of perfection is stripped away, and only truth remains. This contrast represents the internal conflict many face: the desire to fit into external expectations while feeling disconnected from the version of ourselves we’re expected to present. Disheveled isn’t only focused on the contrast between made-up and bare, but also on the tension between the persona we show to the world and the feelings we often hide. It’s a representation of the struggle to be authentic in a society that values appearance and perfection, and the emotional toll that comes with trying to meet those ideals. For much of my life, I struggled with the pressure to present a "perfect" version of myself , whether that meant hiding parts of my identity, masking my emotions, or trying to meet unrealistic expectations of beauty and behavior. Over time, I've learned that true confidence comes not from hiding my imperfections, but from embracing them. What makes me different, what makes me feel exposed or vulnerable, is what ultimately makes me who I am.