Self Incarnation

Self Incarnation, 2022, Mixed Media, N/A, Sculpture

Self Incarnation

LUAP’s latest project at a Police station in London's Hampstead heath looks to deepen LUAP’s investigation into mental health, well-being and connection.

The new installation explores human caged potential and how sometimes we can be incarcerated by our own feelings even though the key is in the lock and the door is wide open.

These seemingly unbreakable bars can be feelings of being helpless, lost or overwhelmed by unfamiliar situations or obstacles from past trauma. These feelings which often torment an individual can leave them unable to harness and free their true potential and talent and instead leave them shackled and locked away by the fear of the unknown.

LUAP discovered the bear character during Cognitive-Behavioural-therapy, it emerged as a memory and became a symbol of positive reinforcement and recovery. For LUAP, the bear “wasn’t hiding in a corner and running away from things, it was really about just standing out and being strong. They were all qualities I wanted to draw on to improve myself. It was all about self-improvement”.

“The bear was kind of seeking friendship, but he was lost and caged” in the early years, “Then as I grew and became more confident, it was like the bear was almost mirroring my personality. It was like an alter ego. As I started to hang out with more people it made sense for the bear to do so as well, we became free and looked beyond our own horizon”.