BACKSTORY

Lately, I have been fascinated with how different forms of movement can portray entire feelings and emotions. Just the direction that a stroke of paint moves in can evoke an emotion of anger, happiness, or sadness. From a plain view, it might seem like some unknown reason that we all are just aware of, but I was interested in focusing on this more. I selected this medium based on its ability to be adaptable and evoke movement so well. Attachment theory is one of the most widely understood and influential psychological frameworks for dissecting and understanding human brains. We use this theory to understand why people grow the way they do, based on hoe they were raised. There are four main styles of attachment in this theory, which are represented through my four panel plaster creation.

RESEARCH

Attachment theory was originally developed by John Bowlby, a graduate from Cambridge University. The way he was raised is actually pivotal to his research, as he was raised primarily by nannies and had 5 siblings (Attachment Project, n.d.). In his childhood he endured a great deal of separation from family, as he grew up through both world wars. He studied psychology in college and spent much time looking after troubled children in his twenties. He remarks that while he worked in the school he “‘learned everything that [he has] ever known’” (Attachment Project, n.d.). Throughout his career, he felt negatively about many of the existing theories on psychology and behaviorism, which inspired him to look deeper into child development. He looked at how long periods of separation from a mother can affect children, and how when children feel this sense of abandonment it often results in them acting out (Attachment Project, n.d.). He took this initial information and expanded to what is now widely known as Attachment Theory. 

In my pieces, I wanted to focus on the four attachment styles: Anxious, Avoidant, Disorganized, and Secure. These attachment styles have several different names, Disorganized Attachment is also referred to as Fearful-Avoidant, avoidant Attachment is also referred to as Dismissive Attachment, and Anxious Attachment is also referred to as Preoccupied Attachment. These styles develop in early childhood based on how the primary caregiver acts toward their child and how their relationship is (Attachment Project, 2020). 

Anxious Attachment often appears in adults as those with a negative view on themselves, and seeing others as better than them. They do not feel worthy of love, and cling extremely hard to their partner because they legitimately believe they would be worse without them (Attachment Project, 2020). They have an enormous fear of abandonment. 

Avoidant Attachment appears in adults in the form of thinking they are better than others, and being ultra-independent. These individuals do not want to feel dependent on others or be answering to others so they make this clear by being distant and suppressing their feelings (Attachment Project, 2020). 

Disorganized Attachment is a conflicting attachment style. Individuals want and crave connection, but often push against it because they are fearful of it. This can show up for a multitude of reasons, but typically at some point in their childhood, their caregivers did not meet emotional needs of the child, which left that child unsure of how to share connection (Attachment Project, 2020). These individuals find relationships to be something of desire and also fear as they grow up.

Lastly, Secure Attachment is when someone is completely comfortable in relationships. They share their emotions and receive them well from their partner. These individuals still require honesty and work, but they are not struggling from any negative views on relationships that affect them directly (Attachment Project, 2020). Secure Attachment individuals can be alone or in a relationship, and it does not affect how they look at themselves.

PROCESS

This piece was created by taking 4 identical canvases, plaster and a selection of tools, and creating four unique pieces. Each canvas was originally covered with a thin layer of plaster to set the base, and then built from there. When working with plaster of this kind, you have to be completely invested in one sitting to complete the piece, as the plaster dries fairly quickly. Timing is everything when working with this medium, as the different phases of drying allow you to do different things with it. 

Each piece required a different technique in its creation. 

The secure attachment piece is represented by cohesive lines flowing in a calming state. This represents how these individuals flow in relationships well with one another. 

The anxious attachment piece is represented by a canvas with a gaping absence of the plaster in the center of the piece. Individuals with anxious attachment see themselves as incomplete, thus a gaping absence in their own hearts.

The avoidant attachment piece is represented by a piece with two thick structures on each opposing corner of the piece. These individuals push away from connection because they are fearful of it.

The disorganized attachment piece showcases a canvas with a checkerboard pattern. Two of the checkers are calm and smooth, while the other two are spiked and showing chaos. These movements with the plaster represent the nervous system of an individual with disorganized attachment style.

REFLECTION

This piece was enjoyable to create because I leaned heavily into the research prior to creating the piece. A lot of times with artwork, you research as you go or create meaning after the piece is underway. I was challenged in this piece to educate myself on the attachment styles in order to create an accurate representation of them.