My Brilliant Friend

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❊ My Brilliant Friend ❊

Paper Art Shadowbox

Inspired by the story of My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, this project illustrates the lifelong relationship between two best friends, dissecting the complexity of female friendship from two different phases of their life.

Part one emphasizes the dynamic of their friendship since they were kids. In the story, these two girls had a rather intense friendship since the beginning, where love, jealousy, and competition intertwined. They often competed against each other on things like the boys they admired or how many books they've read. In return, the competition also forced them to show their true selves, thus bringing them closer.

Part two shows how their relationship evolved when they've grown older: one married and the other left their small town for university. Although their life trajectories deviated, their friendship continued growing strong. And reading books ended up becoming the bond that connected them spiritually.