CTS B / Week 2: This Is How You Connect Theory and Practice
Identity is a concept at the heart of human experience, shaping the way we understand ourselves and others perceive us. When we visualize our identity through art, media, or personal expression, we can essentially interpret the complex and multi-layered aspects of the self in a form that we can see, share, and reflect on (Fearon, James D).
The question “Who defines identity?” helped me recognize the tension between internal and external definitions. Personal identity is shaped by our memories, values, and experiences, while social identity is influenced by the roles and labels assigned by society. For instance, a person may see themselves as an artist, yet others may primarily view them as a student or worker. CTS B taught me that identity is never entirely self–determined nor completely controlled by others; it emerges through continuous negotiation between self-perception and social expectations.
Identity also evolves over time. Through new environments and relationships, we constantly reinterpret who we are. In my own case, I view myself as a free and independent person, someone who dislikes restriction and tries not to be overwhelmed by stress. Yet this creates tension when navigating social belonging. I value independence, but I also recognize that we all function within communities.
This personal identity heavily influences my artistic identity. Outwardly, I appear bright and confident, but internally I often struggle with worry and periods of emotional heaviness. As a result, my artworks tend to hold duality—visually bright on the surface, yet quietly melancholic underneath. CTS B helped me understand that this contrast is not accidental but a reflection of how my internal and external identities coexist.
Works of art often act as an extension of the self, reflecting an individual's experiences, values, and emotions. The artist's identity, shaped by culture, growth background, beliefs, and social context, inevitably affects the subjects, styles, and messages they express (Kozinets, Robert, Ulrike Gretzel, and Anja Dinhopl).
Word count: 301 words
References Link:
Fearon, James D. “What Is Identity (As We Now Use the Word)?” Stanford University, Oct. 2013
Selfies, digital images characterized by the desire to frame the self in a picture taken to be shared with an online audience, are important
Kozinets, Robert, Ulrike Gretzel, and Anja Dinhopl. “Self in Art / Self As Art: Museum Selfies as Identity Work.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 8, 9 May 2017,
