Estrangement

Inspired by the novella “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka. Read the artist statement below.

Copy paper, water, ink

Wall measures about 6 x 9 x 1 in

2021

Artist Statement

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka was unlike any other story I’ve read. There were so many layers to unpack, but I found myself drawn to the image of Gregor’s bedroom right at the beginning of the story. In this work, I wanted to depict that picture-perfect cottage imagery, but also to represent the contrast between it and Gregor post-metamorphosis, as well as the isolation and ostracization he experiences.

While reading the story, I noticed similarities between Gregor’s condition and that of a depressed person experiencing executive dysfunction. Both experiences seem to entail feeling like you’re just a lump that can’t do anything but sit there and wallow in filth, making everything around you dirty. This is what inspired Gregor’s form, as not a bug, but just a black mass that oozes grime and stains the perfect, pretty rug he’s sitting on.