Otherworldly Beauty: Surrealist Revival
Words: Mariana Holbrook Photographs: Morrigan Rawson
Surrealism has a long history in fine art and photography, constantly pushing the boundaries of reality and expectations. But recently I’ve noticed a gravitation towards surrealism specifically in youth culture art. So many of us have spent our months of isolation seeking not only connection, but an exit from reality. Escape from these four walls, our own minds, our political climates, or anything else from the unexpected throes of 2020. Perhaps this surrealist inclination is a symptom of escapism, but maybe it’s a glimmer of hope for an alternate reality. A universe full of warped beauty, a visual narrative of the push and pull each of us exerts to find a place we can belong. Morrigan Rawson is a photographer who’s foray into surrealism is drenched with dreamy atmospheres and rich blue tones. When experiencing their work the viewer is swept into an alternate reality, one that clearly provides an escape for the artist themself. Many of the textures utilized in Morrigan’s imagery gives one the sensation of movement. This visual and sensory depiction of motion is one of the many alluring aspects of this exceptional artist’s work.
But underneath the beauty lies something otherworldly. Many of Morrigan’s pieces use harsh lighting and shadows to accent the dreaminess. This classic chiaroscuro lighting was pushed to the forefront of the painting world by Caravaggio, but is now easily spotted in every medium from painting to studio photography. Bringing a dark and immersive impression to any piece, this lighting is utilized to make the subject emerge from the ether, into the new world. What’s so unique about this artist in particular is that she’s managed to use this age old technique to highlight visual escapism in youth culture. Rarely even able to fully make out the faces of the models in frame, Morrigan’s work focuses on form, texture, and color. Similar to surrealist artists before them, they are less concerned with clarity, and more invested in evoking emotion. But whether or not you were a fan of Dali or Duchamp, Morrigan Rawson is bringing a fresh and youthful spin to surrealist art.
