7/30/2019 4 Maryori Conde Mandala AS

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Maryori Conde

September 9, 2012

Period 4

Mandala Artist Statement

I am/two of the most powerful words; for what you put after them shapes your

reality, (Unknown). I tried to put pictures instead of words after I am in my mandala.

My mandala is very symbolic, because I have many pictures that look like ordinary

things, but mean the world to me. For you to understand why I chose them, Ill explaineach one thoroughly:

1. River with fire in the middle: My life as a journey. It shows how the road has

been dim, but lights always there. The river is short just like life and theres handmade

walls on the side that symbolize how we make our own walls in life. This makes me see

how its my job in life to break down those walls instead of building more up.

2. Three isotopes of Hydrogen: Symbolizes my cousin Nataly and I. We come

from same family, but like each isotope, were different.

3. A bird leaving its cage: This is my best friend Andrea whos been a shoulder

to lean on. She helps me fly.

4. Blue stars above, lanterns on bottom: Significant day. It was when I realized

that life is a journey and happily ever afters are the short moments we encounter daily,

but dont appreciate.

5. My dad and mom kissing me: This picture represents my parents divorce.

Probably the most difficult time of my life.

6. A foam toy castle: This represents my childhood; La Escuelita (a place in

church where we take care of children and where my morals came from). I grew up here

from the ages of 2-12.

7. McDonalds at Figueroa and Adams: Represents 5th grade with my dad. 5th

grade was the time when my dad and I spent the most time together; he would take meto this McDonalds every day after school. That is why every time I see that McDonalds I

know my dad loves me.

8. The Perfect Man: This movie represents my mother and my relationship. I

value our relationship, because it goes far more than a mother and daughter

relationship; were best friends. The way Hilary Duff is protective of her mom is the

exact same way I am protective of my mom.

9. Kiara from Lion King 2: Kiara reminds me of my little sister. I feel like I gained

courage by seeing my sister. The way Kiara had the courage to stand up to her father

for what she believed in is exactly what my sister is like. My sister isnt afraid to speak

her mind and stand up to anyone. I value that in her.10. My Quinceanera dress: It was the only day I ever heard my dad say he was

proud of me. It also represents what family means to me. Family are, In good, in bad, in

parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless.

It wasn't just about blood relations or shared chromosomes...Our family of origin, the

family we created, and the groups you moved through while all of this was happening:

friends, lovers, sometimes even strangers, (Sarah Dessen).

7/30/2019 4 Maryori Conde Mandala AS

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Maryori Conde

September 9, 2012

Period 4

11. My sister and mom: These two people are the ones I love and am so

protective of. I am sorrowful to see my sister grow up without a dad, but I love that she

is handling it better than me. I see my mom and am proud that even through hardships

she still has faith.

12. Hello Kitty bride: An inanimate object that symbolizes my child within and myvulnerability; it was the time when dad was still daddy.

13. Violin, paper and pen in the center: This brings my whole life and mandala

together. Both my violin and my writing symbolize all my experiences and memories.

For me, those experiences and memories make up my identity.

I chose the color teal for my mandala, because it represents nature. Teal is made

up of green and blue; green and blue is what makes up our earth. Nature is very

important to me, because it relaxes me and is what makes me believe theres a God in

this world.

These 13 pictures pretty much sum up my 16 years of life, but its incomplete,

because Im still going through life and theres so much more to come, so much more

change to endure. Identity is something that is forever changing, even when we dont

want it to, because its not something we control.