Abstract
Longing for male protection, I’ve built unseen vessels for myself to hide in. Collages have kept me alive during loneliness, abusive relationships, quarantine… Collages have also exalted my life when things are going pretty darn good. These two collages are an example of such. Two of my most recent creations, I felt very inclined to put images of Black American women. Then it dawned on me, I’s a Black woman! When I was able to print out a photo of me (from my cubicle at the Department of Children and Family Services) and she fit exactly in the ancient cat chair I had cut out, I felt as though I had a new vision of myself. 27 then, 45 now…a clear through line. I made the next for my future self. We are winning.
Recommended Citation
Barnard, S. (2026). Alive During Loneliness. Black Educology Mixtape "Journal", 4(1). Retrieved from https://repository.usfca.edu/be/vol4/iss1/14