According to Jung, the Persona is an image—a social mask—that helps us meet the universal need for relationship to the outer world. This presentation will explore the necessity and usefulness of the Persona but also the conditions under which the Persona becomes a problem. We will use a series of charming and intimate cartoons created by Texas artist Mark Smith to explore Jung’s theory of the Persona.
Jung’s theory of the personal Shadow stands on the other side of the mask. It becomes the face of the “not-I” or the rejected aspects of the personality. The Individuation process is the integration of these parts of ourself and the vehicle for the manifestation of the Self and the archetype of wholeness. Particularly relevant at this time in our culture, Persona becomes important to our discussions of politics, gender, social roles, and authenticity.
