Apollo René
Year: Sophomore 2023
Location: New York City, NY

Sarcophagus, Acrylic, Gesso, Graphite, Charcoal, 72x89in or (182.88x 226.06), Year: 2021 (During Covid)

Sarcophagus is a body of work that visualizes the intense feelings that come along with solitude and isolation. With my Bi-Polar disorder, I have a natural tendency to feel comfortable in those settings, however, no matter how good it ever feels in the moment, the long-term effects of voluntary isolation are devastating. The tone could be only clearly administered with the title, “Sarcophagus” because at times it can feel like a literal tomb. In ancient Egyptian times, pharaohs were buried inside of these with all of their illustrious belongings. Like the pharaohs, when I isolate myself I begin to have hallucinations and grand delusions that I am a higher power yet I am trapped inside of my own mind amongst my most important memories and feelings. 

I feel like now is the right time to make, Sarcophagus, because of COVID, people are forced to isolate themselves from large crowds or groups and get to experience what my daily life has always been. They not only experience solitude but the constant battle to escape it, the impending need to socialize and form groups even though they are not allowed due to the virus. Even now that we are beginning to start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and vaccinations are now being administered, what will come of this? Will you all be set free and will I have to stay? When do I become free from my mental cage?