Andre Rochester | Blind to It All | Blind to It All is a self portrait that interprets my personal experience with depression. The sick yellow that washes out the peaceful turquoise color in the background represents the overwhelming feeling that we fight through when dealing with the triggers of depression. The red blindfold is the emotion that blocks us from seeing the world around us for what it is. That blindfold is the barrier between us and the happiness/peace we want badly. It requires us to manually remove that blindfold to "see the light". The work to remove that blindfold is the internal struggle many of us deal with daily. Mental health is subject that isn’t discussed enough among Black men and I use this piece as a catalyst for dialogue about self care. I presented this piece to a crowd of over 70 people and shared my story about dealing with depression and my decision to not let it keep me from realizing my full potential. It was at that event, that I decided to work daily to remove my blindfold so I can see how bright my light truly shines. As a Black man, it is important that I own all parts of who I am and I find strength in sharing my experience with others. I use my work to remind others that they are not alone in this journey through life and I hope to inspire others to own their stories as well.