Fathoms

Fathoms is a deeply personal and evocative series that delves into the intense emotional landscape I experienced during a turbulent phase of my life. The series is divided into three distinct part: Tears, Blood, and Alcohol. Each representing a different chapter of this journey. Through these works, I explore a range of emotions including fear, anger, chaos, sadness, helplessness, and the unwavering will to persevere. The imagery is inspired by the ocean, symbolising the vast and often overwhelming nature of these emotions, depicted in a surreal manner.

Tears: This section represents the onset of emotional turbulence. The ocean here is made of tears, growing in intensity like an approaching storm, viewed from above as if you are looking down into a deepening well of sorrow

Alcohol: As the journey progresses, the perspective shifts beneath the ocean's surface. This phase symbolises the numbing depths of alcohol, where one sinks deeper into emotional despair, submerged in a world that feels isolating and inescapable.

Blood: The final phase is seen from the front, representing torrents of blood crashing in fury. It conveys the rage and rawness of confronting one's deepest wounds, yet there’s an underlying strength and will to survive in this chaos.

A recurring symbol throughout the series is the leaf, a small but resilient form that feels out of place in the surreal, volatile oceanic environments. The leaf represents the self, fragile yet determined to make it through the tempest, signifying hope and perseverance amidst the chaos.

Interestingly, each part of the series corresponds to one of the primary colours; blue for tears, yellow for alcohol, and red for blood emphasising their emotional weight and distinct stages. Each artwork in the series took around 40 hours to complete, with meticulous detail brought to life through the use of coloured pencils on hot-pressed cotton paper. There are 12 works in total, 4 pieces for each phase, each measuring 50 x 40 cm, combining both technique and emotion to depict this profound inner journey.

Fathoms is not only a reflection of personal turmoil but also an exploration of human resilience, visually expressed through the depths of the ocean. The pieces invite viewers to immerse themselves in the emotions and, perhaps, find their own story within the waves.

12 panels

50 x 40 cm

Coloured pencils on cotton paper