I’ve always heard that it isn’t until we hit our 40s that we really come to know and understand ourselves fully. While I’ve just entered my fourth decade, I can say, I wholeheartedly believe this is true. The work of Colombian artist Anibal Vallejo reminds me of the searching for self that we do in our younger years.
We might try on different styles of self– whether that be in trying out varied careers, trying on different types of relationships or merely figuring out just who we are and where we fit.
Often we may feel like we’ve found the right fit at the time, but eventually, the “suit” loses its novelty and we look back, seeing how very far we were from who we really are. We may look on that younger self as putting on the most ridiculous of costumes on our road to discovering ourselves.
In some cases ( but by no means all! ), with age and maturity comes a better understanding of who we are and a confidence in being exactly the person we were meant to be.
Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones. You were born knowing exactly who you are and what you were meant to be. But most of us spend our lifetimes figuring it out. I feel like I’m getting closer each day. How about you?
To see more of Anibal Vallejo’s work, please visit his website.
Artist found via Escape Into Life.
Featured image is Untitled, graphite, acrylic and hand embroidery on canvas, 120×150 cm. All images are via the artist’s website.
Faires Fine Art
July 5, 2012 at 11:57 AMWelcome to your fourth decade! It really is about the journey….isn’t it? Learning ‘who’ we really are is one of life’s most beautiful discoveries…and the beauty lies in the fact that if we keep seeking, we will continue to discover and learn more and more. Amazing! Thanks for a great share today;)
Lesley
July 5, 2012 at 2:23 PMIt truly is, Kimby! I hope to be a lifelong seeker. 🙂
This Sydney Life
July 5, 2012 at 3:21 PM42 and STILL searching!
Christine
July 5, 2012 at 5:45 PMThese are amazing. What great work.
Lesley
July 5, 2012 at 8:24 PMThanks for reblogging!
Sunnyace
July 5, 2012 at 6:48 PMReblogged this on Sunnyace Reblog Collections.
fanfareforthearts
July 5, 2012 at 7:40 PMExcellent choice of subjects!