ELIANE FIC Boys Don’t Cry, 2022

120 x 90 cm

My artwork reflects the mental anguish many boys face during the challenges of their teen years, with reference to the intimidations and pressures they undergo regarding their rites of passage. The broad impasto strokes represent the noise and chaos of society while the refined brushwork maximises the emotion in the subject’s face. In doing so, I have captured a moment between violence and catharsis, a release of pent-up anger, frustration, and emotional rage. With this work, I hope to eradicate the stigma surrounding men showing emotions and raise awareness for men’s mental health.

Dissevered and Drained, 2022

digital painting and mixed media 40 x 35 x 6 cm

Dissevered and Drained are mixed-media artworks combining digital print and sculpture. I was interested in exploring the concept of isolation, particularly depersonalisation. While depersonalisation is an individual experience, I believe that everyone feels separated from reality at times. The images were hand-drawn in high resolution using handwork and apple pen on iPad screen, then printed digitally onto canvas paper. The sculptural frames were created with more traditional techniques including ceramics, welding, carpentry, and painting. The inspiration behind my artwork was to create a traditional portrait style painting with a contemporary combination of techniques and materials.