Focussing on the evolution of storytelling through the years, The Tale of the Seen Spirit is a contemporary spin on traditional folktales from the Middle Ages. Using an anachronistic mixture of technique and themes, the work satirically frames issues linked to mental health today.
Usage of devices and screen time has a huge effect on our daily lives - whether it be how we are perceived on the digital landscape or how we are perceived irl. While our interconnectivity is a power to us more often than not - unrelenting notifications, read receipts and location services are among the many ways that smartphones can turn against us in their quest for our uninterrupted attention.
Having been bounced between digital and analog realms throughout the process, the works’ narrative, as well as the narrative in the work, is entirely out of its time. As a digitally designed and drawn work, the finality of ink and paper provide a comforting close to the project. Idiosyncrasies of analog printing enliven the digital designs with misalignment and irregular ink placement and warm textured paper offers a soothing alternative to bright screen light.
As the result of a wormhole of research into illuminated texts, graphic novels and the development of pictorial storytelling as a whole, this body of work presents an absurd folk tale for today’s issues. The tradition of passing down stories has been used, in part, to curb unfavourable behaviours throughout history; perhaps it is in our best interest to bring these stories back into circulation for the benefit of our mental and social health?