The Library
In a world where social media is increasingly being utilized as a “distraction from reality”, I wanted to depict another kind of escape: the one I experience when deep into a good book; being transported to a place beyond existence, surrounded by my own quiet bubble of calm. In contrast to when I am spending time on my phone, I don’t feel lonely while reading. The ghosts in the painting represent how the characters, places, and emotions in a book become realized in my own mind as real. They keep me company. For me, books feel natural. This is why my “library” is filled with an assortment of plants and flowers. It’s a calming place to visit: not necessarily cozy, but still comfortable and warm.
The girl in the painting is of a similar colour palette to the rest of the piece because she’s supposed to belong with the other ghosts and not be the center of attention. She has become a part of the world she is reading about, no longer an outsider but instead experiencing the story alongside the other characters. I think this is why reading is so much more rewarding than scrolling on a phone.