The Magic Realm (2024 — )
The Magic Realm series draws on the nostalgia of the fantasy genre to explore escapism, dissociation, and disconnection from the pain of lived experiences and clinical depression. Inspired by vintage pewter figurines of wizards and dragons from the 1980s and 90s, I use these symbols of childhood wonder to delve into the tension between fantasy and reality. For many, the magical worlds of fantasy serve as a refuge—a place to retreat when life becomes overwhelming.
In my art, these wizards and dragons represent both the allure of escape and the isolation that often accompanies it. The act of dissociation, while providing temporary relief from emotional pain, can deepen feelings of detachment from oneself and the world. By evoking the nostalgia of a time when imagination felt limitless, I examine how fantasy both comforts and distances, reflecting the complex relationship between mental health and the need to disconnect from reality to survive.
