Parasite
2024
18” x 36” x 16”
plaster, PVA glue, aluminium wire, tin foil, borax, acrylic paint, clay
Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s post-impressionist style, I combined his emotive brushwork and intense contrasts with my values of self-perception, vulnerability, and resilience. Van Gogh’s art, raw and deeply personal, mirrors unseen mental struggles—a theme I channelled into Parasite.
Set in a dim, blue-tiled bathroom, the scene feels both isolated and introspective. The deep blue evokes sorrow and solitude, while the contrasting magenta pulses with tension, embodying the clash between calm and inner chaos. A nude female figure lies exposed on the floor, surrounded by a visceral, almost gorey scene, representing the way self-doubt and societal pressures can creep in, consuming one’s inner essence. Parasite symbolizes this invasion—how external forces and insecurities feed on us, distorting self-perception. It’s both a tribute to Van Gogh’s symbolism and a personal exploration of the hidden battles that shape us.