Cringe Series — Chloe Theodosiou

This is my most recent work

centered around the

confusing, unspoken nature of

cringe and interpersonal relationships

I’m better in person.

It can’t be held or seen but held against me.

Victimhood. Just like my mother taught me. Somewhere along the lineage it wasn’t a protective lie. Outward spikes. Self actualizing prophecy.

I’ve learned so much I can’t translate it into language. If I could write an essay I wouldn’t have made a sculpture. “If you can teach it then that means you know it”

What does a loss for words mean? Too much or too meager? Starved. Overfed.

You’re welcome, I’m sorry.

“Keep up! Keep up! Deserve matter.” You shrunk for so long do you even know how to grow?

Gentle or threatening.

When any inflection, every word-choice could mean anything and I mean anything-

I haven’t understood something in real time since I fell chasing my mom with toddler legs. They got longer without asking.

Victimhood.

If I could talk about it I would have talked about it, instead I turned mud to stone. Change damn it, change! Tighter teeth tighter jaw bite down bite in. I just don’t understand, be clearer! I don’t know what you mean! Tell me what you want.

“Poison yourself. There’s anger in the water.”

I’m better in person until you see the cringe I have stuck between my teeth that I can’t brush out.

And I can’t afford the dentist because a mean man was mean to me so now I work part time for Honor, for the cinematic Right Thing To Do. But he just bought his fourth house.

“Jealous??” It would be easier if I was.

If it’s gouache does that mean I couldn’t have meant it? Cliche never sincere, cringe never real. Just because you recognize a mirror of your younger self, doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a point.

Just because you recognize a mirror of your younger self, doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a point.

I’m better in person. “It should hurt.”