An exploration of the darkness that dwells within
"Each one is the furthest away from himself"
Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit (From nothing, Comes nothing) explores the the relationship of existential nihilism and the human condition in respects to finding the meaning of life from nothingness. What starts out as hope soon becomes manipulated by a cacophony of knowledge, leaving only a sense of uncertainty and the chance of creating a new reality. With influences such as Nietzsche and Jean Paul Sartre, synergies are distilled from both opaque and transparent meanings. Itself, is a self reflection of the human condition to create something from nothing; the intangible to tangible. As existential derivatives become clarified through a frantic yet personal practice, the viewer is left to interpret their own meaning while perceiving through their life experiences.
I: Birth , 170cm x 110cm, Graphite on paper, 2020
"What choice do we have?" Everything starts from this point in our lives. The world is a cruel and self suffocating place to live in and within (I) : Birth, an infant/fetus is suspended in the void while being pierced with a knife attached to a chain. Although the baby is a part of the main motif, the fact that the sheer size of the canvas in comparison to the baby can be said to be overwhelming and disturbing. The portrayal of how insignificant and fragile we are compared to the collective mirrors the anxiety and obscurity we are offered when being born. The knife and chain is said to be a metaphor for the umbilical cord to foster connectivity as well as foreshadowing the hardships and suffering that is living; only to die.
II: Direction, 170cm x 110cm, Graphite on paper, 2020
Instead of an organic matter; a Traffic light, posed in a way where the structure is towering over the viewer creates a spatial area where the subject has foreboding impression. To represent finding meaning and purpose in life, the lone traffic light, seemingly fading into the background, has blanks for the lights. Traffic lights serves the purpose of giving direction and is rather omnipotent on the road which is an analogy for life and God. As Nietzsche once said, “God remains dead”. (II): Direction showcases the lostness of humans as they grow up, dealing with religion as well as finding their place in life. A traffic light without lights does not exist or is rarely seen to the extent that it becomes a myth. It can be said that all lights are turned “ON”, which all the more, bearing confusion to the individual; a reflection of being mislead.
III: Truth, 170cm x 110cm, Graphite on paper, 2020
Our lives are not our own. The world is the centre as we revolve around it. Similarly, we succumb to finding the meaning in living as we desperately strive to search for our truth in the world. Part (III) : Truth introduces abstract elements of geometric proportions to represent the world and our truths. All faces of the cube are the same yet different when looked at in a different light; such is perception. When perceived in a different rotation, the image seems familiar yet distant as the figures portray a new composition. Likewise, the truth is never certain and our ideal aspirations along with individual experiences cause us to perceive and validate our own personal truth. The cluster of congested bodies depicts the human turmoil and struggles as we search for truth but they are only within the confines of the cube. A representation of close-mindedness and acceptance within the world.
"We are unknown to ourselves"
