NIGHTMARE, 2022.

Drawing (graphite) on paper

In Nightmare, I construct a deeply psychological tableau, fusing elements of surrealism and symbolism through the precision of graphite drawing. Central to the composition is a massive, decaying skull encased within a carousel structure—a visual metaphor for cyclical trauma and existential entrapment. The skeletal form, both grotesque and theatrical, bears a large red clown nose, a jarring intrusion of absurdity that destabilizes any immediate reading of the image. This singular element invokes the grotesque comedy of human suffering, reminiscent of the tragicomic figure of the clown in literature and visual culture.

Beneath the skull, the base of the carousel takes the form of a fragmented keyboard or xylophone, where the “keys” are rendered uneven, broken, or displaced—evoking a dissonant soundscape, as if the entire scene were accompanied by a corrupted melody. This musical undertone contributes to the dreamlike, almost cinematic quality of the piece, where sound is implied through structure.

In the lower left foreground, a meticulously rendered child, dressed in an ornate lace dress, stands facing the surreal spectacle. Her stillness and delicacy are in stark contrast to the decaying monument before her. The juxtaposition suggests themes of innocence confronting chaos, the subconscious gaze of the child before the internalized horrors of the adult psyche.

The background is shrouded in dark tonal gradients, with hanging swing-like elements and smoke rising from undefined structures, adding to the overall sense of atmospheric dread. These elements, rendered with soft yet intentional strokes, reinforce the dreamlike ambiguity of space and scale.

Nightmare serves not only as an exploration of individual anxiety and decay, but also as a broader reflection on the interplay between memory, spectacle, and fear. It invites the viewer to interrogate the boundaries between performance and authenticity, humor and horror, childhood and oblivion.