The 8th Eye , 2022
Pencil and Ballpoint Pen on Paper

This piece defines dreams in terms of the modern aspirations of war and the illusionary dreams of slumber. While it eerily bombards us with a plethora of events, it also makes us aware of ourselves as viewers, through the illusion of the eyes within eyes. Streaked by 18 vertical bars and hellish, tree-shaped fires; and orbited by violent black and crazy yellow; it captures the chaos of the Ukraine-Russian War. As a decaying, skeletal, robotic hand grasps the apple of ambition, we face our decaying dreams in life and death in this modern world plagued by disease and chaos. Yet, where there is chaos, there is peace. Look closely, we find peace in a tearful, sleeping face and a hopeful light. There is a tug-of-war between nightmares and good dreams, illusion and reality. It causes us to wonder: Is this a good dream after all?

Exhibited by:

UCI Humanities Core

More from UCI Humanities Core