From Bethany Bash:

I began painting self portraits in 2018 after inpatient treatment for depression and an eating disorder. Self portraits helped me consider self-compassion during a time of hard work and deep healing. I am still creating self portraits, although the themes I explore have evolved.

Treatment was a glaringly white and privileged space, but I did not have the mental capacity to explore or discuss this at the time. As my depression lifted and my eating disorder quieted, my world expanded immeasurably. Painting themes began to shift from my internal landscape, to my external environment.

Partially driven by the racial and class exclusivity I witnessed during treatment, my current body of work is compelled by an urge to label and disrupt white supremacy.

I am still creating self portraits. Currently, they are helping me consider my role in upholding white supremacy. I find my thoughts shifting regularly from big- picture to little-picture, and I try to use my art to meet myself in the middle. I also hope that other white women may see themselves or their blind spots reflected in my work.