_{‘I COULD HAVE LEFT THE CAR’, graphite on paper, 34.2 x 30.3 cm, 2022-2023}

_{'I COULD HAVE LEFT THE CAR' IS A CONTINUATION OF A SERIES OF SELF-PORTRAITS AFTER LOCKDOWNS IN 2020-2021.} 

_{WHEN THE WEDDING OF SOMEBODY CLOSE TO ME WAS CALLED OF, AND SHE DROVE BACK FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE AFTER TELLING HER GRANDMOTHER, SHE HIT A DEER. CALLING THE POLICE, SHE WAS CONVINCED IT WAS STILL ALIVE. AT THE SCENE, POLICE PRONOUNCED IT DEAD.} 

_{I NEVER THOUGHT THAT WAS A COINCIDENCE.} 

_{‘I COULD HAVE LEFT THE CAR’ REFLECTS ON PERSONAL, SELF-INFLICTED TRAUMA, LITERALLY PUTTING MYSELF BACK IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. ITS VISUALISATION SUGGESTS THAT, RATHER THAN BEING A VICTIM, I CARRIED A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, BY MEANS OF WHICH I ENDED UP IN WRECKAGE.} 

_{BY HAVING MYSELF STAYED PUT IN A BURNING CAR, I REACT TO THE STRANGENESS AND CRUELNESS OF ONE’S OWN WILLINGNESS TO BE BLIND.}