Lost

11 in x 11 in, pen & ink, 2020.

Continuing the theme of underworld exploration, this work depicts a scene of a sunken ruin beneath the river Styx. Figures or “shades” populate the scene as they explore the landscape of forgotten architecture, shrines, and artifacts. Perhaps these are the souls of this ancient citadel’s inhabitants. They coexist with several curious sea creatures and stay out of harm’s reach of boiling hydrothermal vents.

The creation of this work as well as its name “Lost” was inspired by tales of forgotten cities/civilizations. Through discovery and excavation, historians were able to recover great evidence of the lifestyles and culture of members of ancient civilizations, such as Pompeii and Machu Picchu. Other mythological cities such as Atlantis, have little evidence of their existence, so humans can only speculate as to what wonders (if any) resided there.

This work represents my interest in the old world and my feelings that although modern-day research paints a picture of the past, there is an exorbitant amount of structures, relics, and most importantly knowledge that has been lost forever in time.