I am an artist...
My paintings visually describe the process of dissociation. Our culture is filled with references to dissociative experiences, but most people have little understanding of them. Dissociation is what allows us to complete one task while thinking about another. Everyone is capable of dissociating to some degree.
Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder, as it is now called, is the result of dissociating to the extreme, usually in response to extreme trauma in childhood. DID is a greatly misunderstood and overly sensationalized condition. Most often, it is an internal experience of fragmentation, a discontinuity of memory, ability, and sense of self. Chances are if you met a multiple, you would not know it. DID is the outcome of an adaptive, creative response to horrible experiences. It is not an illness. It is a condition that should carry no shame or stigma.
...and a survivor of torture in childhood
What I went through was so extreme, I had to leave my body and divide my mind to survive. I do not know what options that leaves a viewer or a witness, but your attention is very important. As extreme and incredible as my experiences may seem, there are thousands more just like me, and there are children suffering right now.
What we need to know as a culture, as human beings...
Dissociative responses can be manipulated. DID involves creating distinct personality states, divided by amnesia barriers. These states, or alters are vulnerable to external manipulation and control. DID personality systems as a whole, because of the amnesia involved, are vulnerable to manipulation and control.
This web site presents my art work, parts of my story, and further information about dissociation, torture, and deliberate control. Click on My Story to read more of my personal experiences and view journal drawings. On the Art page is a collection of recent works related to my history. The info & links page provides an overview of the topics mentioned above and links to resources. Go to Activism to learn how you can help end child torture. On that page you will find links to many resources, including pamphlets, a bibliography and online reading.