Demitra Selimos
[she/her]
Medicine, 1st year
Utilizing surrealism, Demitra Selimos, a first year medical student, paints the manifestations of neurodegenerative disease and mental illness. Shedding light on the complexities of human emotion, which cannot be expressed tangibly, she demonstrates the need for art as an expressive outlet. Her art focuses on juxtaposing serenity and chaotic symbolism to remind viewers of the universal fragility and vulnerability that unite us.
The Weight of Composure, 2026, Acrylic on canvas, 14" x 18"
The Weight of Composure, 2026, Acrylic on canvas, 14" x 18"
This piece captures the quiet tension between outward composure and internal turmoil. The patient’s mask reflects the optimism and reassurance expected by the world around them, presenting a calm surface that others can rely on. Beneath it, however, emotion remains contained—held back out of care for those who might be unsettled by its presence, and perhaps out of hesitation to confront it fully. The mask becomes both protection and weight, symbolizing the subtle responsibility carried by those who feel compelled to appear steady for others.