#dornroschen

Study for Dornröschen, after HR Giger (“Face Hugger in Ripley”), 2021

Graphite, tea and ink on paper, 39.5 x 49.5 cm

When I came across the curious drawing by Giger from 1990 I was surprised at how accurately it illustrated my own dream, so I decided to fashion the dream study as an homage to the Swiss artist.

Dream of the Sleeping Beauty and a Hornet Nest

I find myself stricken with fear in front of a glass coffin in an overgrown alcove. The vegetation mimics man-made objects: stairs, drapery, furniture. I examine the girl sleeping peacefully in the coffin and discover that her slumber has brought a terrible scourge upon her body: hornets have built a nest inside and around her ribcage. As soon as I see the nest a loud buzzing sound descends upon me – like a dissonant string orchestra. The girl’s breathing tells me she’s alive but I know my kiss would wake her up and break the delicate balance of her symbiotic existence, killing her instantly. On the other hand, the harrowing idea of leaving her be is too much for me to handle. As is the custom, the stressful hesitation wakes me up.