“I Dreamt of Climbing” by Jennifer Lynne Roberts
To me, being part of the AROHO circle means: … that my voice will be heard, recorded, undeniable, and part of a larger story that cannot be silenced. It offers a place to learn from others and to lift up their voices as well, creating a community where women’s stories are not only told but valued. In this exchange, art and writing become more than expression; they become connection, affirmation, and legacy.
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Jennifer Lynne Roberts Artist Statement:
My identity as a creative woman is rooted in transforming inner experience into layered art and writing, giving voice to both my journey with mental health and the shared experiences of women.
Living with bipolar disorder, my creative work also becomes a way to chart the shifting landscapes of mind and emotion. Writing and making art by layering, constructing, scraping back, and building, act as both map and excavation of my inner world and the world around me.
I Dreamt of Climbing is part of a series exploring the terrain of my dreams. In this piece, I dreamed of climbing stairs that stretched endlessly into the sky, yet no matter how high I climbed, I went nowhere. The blue horizon enveloped me, leaving me suspended in perpetual motion. Experiencing this dream during a period of hypomania shaped both its intensity and the energy of the work. Through the layering, peeling, and reconstruction of paper and paint, I translate that relentless movement into a tactile, visual language.
