Artist Peels Back the Mask to Explore the Layers of Self

Photographer Monika Chabicovsky's series, The Two Sides of the Truth, delves into the complexities of identity, portraying the internal conflict between her rational, scientific persona and her creative, artistic self. By day, Chabicovsky is a toxicologist; by night, she explores the multifaceted nature of self through self-portraiture. Her work challenges traditional notions of identity, presenting it as fluid, multifaceted, and often contradictory. 1. The Inspiration Behind the Series The project began in 2020 during a time when Chabicovsky struggled to balance her creative pursuits with her professional life. The rational side of her kept insisting on focusing on her business, leaving little room for making art. This internal conflict became the driving force behind her ongoing series, where she seeks to explore and reconcile her opposing "parts." 2. Challenging Traditional Notions of Identity Chabicovsky's self-portraits disrupt traditional notions of identity by acknowledging it as fluid, multifaceted, and often contradictory. Rather than portraying a single, unified oneness, she explores the tension that results from engaging with differing aspects of her identity—reason versus emotion, science versus creativity, persona versus authentic self. This approach questions the stability of identity and how much of it is shaped by societal expectations versus internal realities. 3. Visual Metaphors and Recurring Symbols In her work, Chabicovsky uses simple visual elements to represent complex concepts like reason, emotion, and duality. Masks serve as a central metaphor for the duality between persona and authenticity, blurring the line between what is hidden and what is revealed. She also plays with contrasts—light and shadow, rigid shapes versus soft textures—to reflect the tension between order, reason, and emotion. These visual metaphors invite viewers to reflect on their own inner conflicts and truths. 4. Discovering New Aspects of Herself Through the process of creating these self-portraits, Chabicovsky discovered how much she enjoys the act of planning and playing—choosing the right dress, outfit, and concept for each shoot. For a long time, she hadn't allowed herself to embrace a sense of play. This discovery has been both liberating and enlightening, adding a new dimension to her artistic practice. 5. Viewer Reactions and Future Directions Some viewers have suggested that Chabicovsky explore creating diptychs, triptychs, or even a full narrative storyline instead of focusing on single images. This feedback has inspired her to experiment with these ideas as the project evolves, opening the door to exploring the use of triptychs and their meaning within the history of art. Conclusion Monika Chabicovsky's The Two Sides of the Truth invites viewers to peel back their own masks and confront their personal truths, however complicated and uncomfortable they may be. Through her exploration of identity's layers, she encourages a deeper understanding of the self and the complexities that define us.