My artwork depicts the relationship between humans and the natural environment as a ritualistic passage for self-discovery and enlightenment. Drawn on paper with felt tip pens and pencils, it is heavily inspired by the Australian forests, an environment where I spent my childhood and often envision in my dreams. I wanted to create a work that illustrated nature’s beauty as a way of reminding people about the importance of preserving the natural environment, a notion that is increasingly challenged by technology.
More specifically, my concept draws upon how the adaptation of modern lifestyles have degraded a collective understanding and appreciation for nature. The obsession with technology and consumerism has led to humanity’s continual destruction of the natural environment as it has become a separate entity that we were no longer apart of or entirely subject to. Digital technology has forced people to spend most of their time in doors and detaching themselves from nature. Ultimately, the artwork attempts to ignite a newfound interest in appreciating the environment.
The artwork is an extension of my previous assessment concept. Instead of depicting the natural environment as an innate internal fragment of the human identity, I attempted to characterize it as an immersive dreamlike reality, highlighting how it can be a source for spiritual and emotional fulfillment. The individual's fixated gaze into an infinite stretch of doorways represents the path to enlightenment, whereby a deep understanding of the natural environment catalyses an enriched understanding of one's self. Moreover, some of the visual elements within the scene such as the infinite doors and foliage was inspired by my dreams. I felt like they represent a nostalgic mark that surfaced in my subconscious as I have since relocated from this kind of forested environment.
Stylistically, I was inspired by the Japanese painter Takato Yamamoto. He often explores the metaphysical synergy between nature and humans in a surreal Gothic style. His scenes appear macabre yet convey an ethereal atmosphere, often depicting human figures entwined in strange constructions of plant matter and mangled flesh. I attempted to emulate the sibylline aura in his works by developing both intricate foliage details and using a range of graphite tones to create the illusion of depth. The result is an enigmatic scene with visually complex details, portraying the human connection to the natural environment as a psychedelic awakening.
In retrospect, I believe the development process for my artwork could have improved. Additional contextual research could have been made to gain a more in-depth insight into the synergy between humans and natural environment. This would ensure that the connection to my previous concept is clearer and more refined.