Trapped in Wonderland

The following artworks are inspired by my grandmother and her ongoing struggle with dementia. My goal with this project was to create a visual narrative that reflects both her experience and mine, a story that speaks to how complex and emotional it is to watch a loved one slowly fade away, even though they are still physically present. I’ve chosen colored pencils as my medium because I wanted to achieve a look that’s similar to children’s coloring books. The aesthetic feels fitting because dementia has caused my grandmother’s mental state to regress in a way that resembles early childhood. She often interacts with the world with a sense of innocence, but also confusion and vulnerability. Her new childlike perspective, while heartwarming at times, is also deeply unsettling, and I wanted to capture that tension in my work.

Through this thesis, I hope to convey the tender, disquieting, and nostalgic emotions that come with loving somebody who is slowly slipping away. To grieve in slow motion, mourning memories that vanish from her mind with each passing day. By portraying this experience, this work is ultimately a tribute to my grandmother and to all the unspoken moments shared between us.