J. Hiji

Age: 24

Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA

Generation: 4th - Yonsei

Biography: J. Hiji loves all forms of art: painting, music, photography, writing, and anything else that may have a story beneath the surface. She loves to read, meditate, and practice yoga in her free time. Fun fact: J.’s childhood pet was a hairless cat and she is the reason why J. started to love all living creatures. 

Name of Piece: Anxiety-Not Your Friend

This is what I imagine my anxiety to look like in my head. For a long time, I thought my anxiety was my friend. I didn't recognize it as anxiety because it helped me survive for most of my life by avoiding certain dangers that I feared. The more I trusted this monster, the more disconnected I felt from myself and everyone else because I was constantly living in fear inside my head. 

Name of Piece: Underneath it all

This represents how challenging it is to be vulnerable around those whom we love. Especially when it comes to mental illness, which is often a big part of one’s life. The fact that our loved ones aren’t aware of our condition can inhibit us from expressing our most authentic selves. Thus, we can experience a feeling of loneliness, even when people are physically near us.