Dream bodies is a series of surrealist self portraits that I started in 2019 and continue to work on to this day.
The work explores the connection between dreams, emotions, our bodies and nature. We are fundamentally naturally beings: we are animals, we come from the earth and we return to the earth. In our waking lives we separate ourselves from our natural urges and instincts to fit in. In our dreams we can truly be free to connect back to our true and natural selves. The fears, desires, hopes, wants and impulses that are all a part of being a part of nature being can be fully lived without consequence and restraint. Our dreams provide a subconscious bridge to our baser selves.
I use the self portrait because when I dream because despite who or what I may be dreaming about, I am the experiencer. When I am killed in my dreams, I am killing myself. When I have sex in my dreams, it is sex with myself. If I am afraid in my dreams, I am afraid of myself, regardless of the form the nightmare takes. I try to use imagery that is personal, while touching on themes that are universal.
The series continues to grow and evolve. Bringing in a variety of materials and mediums to create, I learn something new with each one. I enjoy exploring the process as much as the ideas, and approach their creation with an openness that invites inspiration and experimentation, much like dreams themselves. :)