Life on a Leash
Jess Hutchison
When the time came to conceive my thesis proposal an overwhelming weight descended upon me. Viewing this as an appropriate time for reflection, I began to trace back to the roots of my deep attraction for the arts and design. This prompted me to reminisce about my childhood and the large amount of time I spent with my mom. Arts and crafts define my formative years. My mom and I spent hours making trinkets out of papier-mâché, glue gunning, and covering macaroni in glitter. Many of my weekends were consumed by trips to museums and concerts. I feel a deep gratitude towards my mother for exposing me to all that she could manage to cram into my prepubescent brain. The thought that some children are not as privileged as I was, to have someone so invested in fostering their education and creativity, is disheartening. My thesis aims to show a snippet of the boredom that ensues when the freedom to explore is not given. Nelson, a young boy, wants to discover the world around him, but cannot because a kiddie leash binds him. The leash is a visual symbol of the restriction and emotional disconnection imposed by his mother. Throughout the story Nelson’s mother prohibits him from investigating his surroundings. Nelson appears to be downcast and bored. These are the negative, emotional repercussions created by his mother’s interference. I want those who walk away from Life on a Leash to gain a new sense of gratitude for their daily interactions and an urge to explore their surroundings.