Graphic Depiction of Persistent Pain and Sickness Experience
In 2019, the US census identified over three million children with lasting disabilities, a reality that became a stark reality for our artist "KYRIANNA" when she developed a debilitating chronic pain condition during her 6th grade year. Born and raised on a sheep farm in Southern Oregon, KYRIANNA was an active child with numerous extracurricular activities, only to find her mobility suddenly compromised due to her mysterious ailment.
Her experience was isolating as chronic pain, MRIs, and Vicodin became her everyday vocabulary. The pain kept her confined to her room, depriving her of social interactions. It was during this confinement that KYRIANNA discovered solace through painting and drawing, a hobby that eventually evolved into a powerful tool for self-expression and advocacy.
While studying in university, KYRIANNA delved deeper into self-portraiture, reflecting her disabled identity. "I was struggling a lot," she recalls. "I was away from home and surrounded by teachers and students who saw me as able-bodied, with little sympathy for my days when I could not get out of bed. I needed support, and I asked for it, but eventually, I ended up having to find it on my own."
In her senior year, KYRIANNA initiated a support group for students with chronic conditions, painting her peers as a means to share her catharsis and raise awareness for such conditions. Her thesis involved a series of portraits of students dealing with various conditions, ranging from fibromyalgia to Arnold Chiari malformation. KYRIANNA received the Senior Art Award for this work and was given her first solo show in the university library.
KYRIANNA's approach to her subjects involved a detailed interview process, including therapeutic visualizations that often shaped the composition of each portrait. Each subject was encouraged to create an authentic visual representation of their symptoms, which KYRIANNA executed in surreal watercolor and ink.
As her career has progressed, KYRIANNA continues to use portraiture as a means of communicating the silent struggle faced by those with disabilities. Through her large-scale self-portraits and commissioned pieces, she offers a platform of validation and representation to those struggling with chronic conditions.
KYRIANNA aims to educate the able-bodied population and foster a sense of community among those with chronic conditions through her art. She has had shows internationally, received grants for her portraiture, and grown a social media audience of over 50k across platforms. Although her own chronic pain persists, KYRIANNA finds solace in her mission to help others and give meaning to her condition.
Explore more of her work at www.kyrianna.com or on Instagram and TikTok @kyrianna_.
- KYRIANNA's art educates the able-bodied population on chronic medical-conditions like chronic kidney disease and fibromyalgia, shedding light on the silent struggles faced by those with disabilities.
- In the realm of education and self-development, KYRIANNA's personal growth as an artist is deeply rooted in her experiences with chronic diseases, which she uses to advocate for mental health and health-and-wellness.
- Despite her own chronic pain, KYRIANNA finds purpose through her paintings, using entertainment, such as her social media accounts on Instagram and TikTok, to expand her reach and help others coping with similar situations.
- During her university years, KYRIANNA was isolated due to her chronic pain condition, yet her passion for science and her journey towards personal growth led her to create a support group for students with chronic diseases.
- With a growing online following of over 50k, KYRIANNA's journey illustrates the power of art in mental health, promotion of health-and-wellness, and facilitating connections within the community of individuals living with chronic conditions.
