Mirrored - Isis Rothfork

Isis Rothfork -

I intend for this body of work to serve as a joint journey, for both me and the viewer, through an imaginary realm of my creation. Something constantly in my mind as I moved through the artmaking process these last two years is the concept of juxtapositioning things in unexpected ways to create intrigue, and this was something that I tried to bring into my final works. I wanted to present a balanced and detailed portrayal of this otherworldly realm I’m always thinking about, so that the viewer can experience it as vividly as I do. In the same way that reality is full of complexity, both good and bad, I wanted to show that even our dreams have malicious shadows.

One of the main forms of media that influenced this work was mythology and folklore. Since childhood, Greek and Roman myths were always in the back of my head, and I think it’s an excellent pool of ideas to pull symbols from, because they are somehow both archaic and fairly widely known. I also drew influence from Studio Ghibli, as I really love the mood of their films. They are adventurous and exciting as the protagonist quests through mystical lands, but also comforting and wholesome as the audience is familiarized with dynamic characters. Drawing from these two main sources of inspiration, I strove to combine some of the strange and eerie elements from myths such as Charon the ferryman, Scylla, and Hades and Persephone’s pomegranates, with the incredibly elaborate and charming worlds of Ponyo and Spirited Away. Over the course of this process, I found myself straying from what I had originally intended quite a lot. But In the end, I found that often I was more pleased with the final product than the original concept. I learned that it’s okay to follow spur of the moment ideas, because even if it doesn’t turn out how I had originally envisioned, it might be better.

This body of work mainly grew out of letting my mind wander during long stays in my room when COVID19 was in full swing. At the time, I was reading a lot and listening to a lot, and, no doubt inspired by that content, began finding refuge in this day dream. As for my final display, I want my larger piece to be in the center, with the smaller works expanding out from it.

Unnamed, linoleum Print on Paper, 35cm x 28cm

Similar to As Above, So Below, for this work I was inspired by the myth of Persephone and Hades, and their pomegranates, which have then come to symbolize both fertility and death. I learned through both this piece and As Above, So Below that Greek mythology is a good source of inspiration because it’s commonly known, but feels archaic and magical all the same. I think that the contrast between life and death, as well as the allusions to mythology parallel boundaries between dreams and reality.

As Above, So Below, linoleum print on paper, 28cm x 35cm

During the creation of this piece, I set out to be selective and intentional with where I draw inspiration from and what I allude to in my work. Similar to Matisse, Horan, and Shultz ( the artists I worked with in my comparative study), I find myself inspired and fascinated with fairy tales and stories. I posed the figure to allude to religious motifs, while also connecting to tarot and hermeticism with the angelic wings, and the title and repeating nature of the composition.

Clieto’s Resort, pens and watercolor, 55cm x 76cm

For this piece, I wanted to continue exploring juxtaposition of imagery following my artwork The Dream Eater. I drew inspiration from sunken ships and the movie Ponyo, but instead of dropping the building below sea level, I wanted to illustrate a scene where submarine flora and fauna exist comfortably in the open air. I hoped for the piece to be highly detailed, with enough content to draw the viewer in and keep them interested for a little while, wandering the seemingly abandoned rooms.

The Dream Eater, polymer clay, acrylic paint, tin foil and wire, 13.5cm x 12cm x 8.99cm

In a world that drifts on the border of sleep and wakefulness, where reality is in constant flux, not many denizens are going to have good intentions. This creature is one of the darker beings that balance out the virtuous wonders of the realm. It is known, among other things, as the dream eater. I wanted to juxtapose a cute mask, concealing other, unsettling imagery: the plethora of tentacles. I hoped to represent a creature that might appear welcoming at first, but prove to be threatening.