Winnie Bird’s “The (Un)Seen Self

For my Unseen Self, Portrait, I chose a photo of myself taken by a close friend while I was trying to take a serious picture. The version of myself that I favor most is the one who is laughing. Traditionally “flattering” pictures have never been my favorite; I have always preferred photos where I am caught more genuinely. In this photo, my hair is slightly askew, my head is tilted, my eyes are squinted, and my T-shirt sits imperfectly. Yet, I think it captures the way I try to present myself:

Not overly focused on the small details or on appearing perfect, but instead focused on finding and sharing joy.

About The (un)seen Self:

Often, and especially on the highest stages, athletes’ bodies, performances, and stories are told by, and observed by, others. The (Un)Seen Self invites athletes to interrupt that pattern by sharing how you see themselves through a self-portrait that represents something about their experiences in sport. Their portrait can be literal, symbolic, or abstract. Through it, they are invited to explore and express how they see themselves and to share a short statement that explains the story, feeling, or idea behind the self-portrait