It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. Right? And this bag was just dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. That's the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things, and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever.

- Ricky Fitts, American Beauty

Is a “good life” one that is devoid of trauma?

We’re conditioned to believe that trauma is inherently bad—something to be avoided at all costs. To be mentally sane and healthy, we’re told, we must steer clear of traumatic experiences. But what if you weren’t so lucky? Does that mean you’re destined for a pitiful existence?

“Thank You, Stitches” seeks to explore these questions, and the answer to most of them is a resounding “no.”

This installation—a little girl’s dress sewn from “Thank You” plastic bags—is a symbol of empowerment. It invites reconciliation with the past and gratitude for the hardships and pain endured over a lifetime. Hung on a clothesline among “normal” clothing, the dress appears out of place. Its transparency evokes a sense of loss, as if stripped of dignity and innocence, leaving one exposed and vulnerable. Yet the words “Thank You” printed repeatedly reframe its message: to thank our trauma, to thank our pain—for without them, we would not be who we are today.

The work draws on Polish psychologist Kazimierz Dąbrowski’s personality theory of positive disintegration, which suggests that trauma and mental illness can act as catalysts for profound personal growth. According to Dąbrowski, those who have not faced hardship cannot truly grow, and to live a full life, one must embrace pain.

Ultimately, “Thank You, Stitches” is a poignant reminder that our trauma, while painful, is also an integral part of our story. Without it, there would be no rapid growth, no winding, imperfect path leading to who you are today. And if I may say so—you are quite beautiful exactly where you are.