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UNDRGRND
MARCH 3RD, 2023
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The horror is real but beautiful.
The zombified people in the works of Pinkysamael are not from an apocalyptic story but rather the everyday world they are living in.
When asked about the pale skin and dead eyes of the characters in their work Pinkysamael explained, “The culture where I live is really bad: the prostitution, drug dealers, addicts, burglary, etc.”
The drug use throughout Pinkysamael’s work can be seen in the gaseous headspace of many of the subjects. We can even interpret this in lover, blue room where a female form is seen with a male figure, perhaps working under the influence.
Surrounded by friends and family resigning to the temptation and relief drugs provide it’s easy to see the influence over Pinkysamael’s work.
“Fortunately,” he says, “they were able to rehabilitate themselves without going to prison.”
While the influence of drugs is prevalent throughout, there are still other internal battles (addictions) his subjects face.
His work please, swallow me is inspired by Ophelia by John Everett Millais. In the painting, Ophelia (character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet) lies in the water singing songs, as if unaware of her danger. Her clothes, trapping air, have allowed her to temporarily stay afloat. But eventually, "her garments, heavy with their drink, / Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay" down "to muddy death".
Using this context and applying it to please, swallow me, the two nude individuals lay afloat suggesting that their connection or relationship will be the weight that carries them down to the depths of their demise while asking the water “please” implies a willingness to do so.
This becomes even more apparent when looking at Am i cute enough to die for?. Asked about the meaning behind this, “it's about a human, pleasing and flirting to get another human attention and become a couple, till death do us part.”
Each and everyone of us are searching for a personal connection with something, anything, to feel a sense of happiness. Some find it in drugs, sex or others.
What makes us human is what makes us beautiful.
The lack of humanity in Pinkysamael’s work focuses on the ugly reality of the world but reminds us how beautiful we can be.
