My Other Half

My Other Half is a solo exhibition of narrative figurative paintings that explore self-perception and identity through Werle’s grayscale hand characters, magical objects, and folkloric archetypes. Inspired by the archetype of the witch, Werle uses the mirror as a recurring motif to explore identity, self-perception, and code-switching. How does a mixed-race person reconcile their identity when each mirror communicates a different version of themself?

Grayscale hands look into mirrors to find reflections that shift—darker, lighter, idealized, divine, or barely there—figures in motion, shadow puppet deities, and ghosts.

This exhibition portrays the attempt of control over one’s identity through magical motifs, the mirror and candle.