Reflective Encounters

According to the World Health Organisation in 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 25% increase of anxiety and depression worldwide. Whether it’s continuous doom scrolling on social media or 24/7 news channels, the relentless influx of information regarding climate change, wars, and increasingly conservative politics has caused plenty of sleepless nights. As a way of coping, many have turned to journaling their overactive intrusive thoughts. For multi-disciplined artist Katy Shepherd, drawing has provided some mindfulness.

Her collection of sketches inspired her animated short film Bedroom Scenes. Drawn using a biro, the clean strokes depicting the minimalist room contrasts such erratic scribbles shaping an insomniac restlessly trying to sleep. To further portray anxiety, Shepherd introduced a shaded 'nightmare monster’ to torment the character. Going as far to mimic their form and actions, it is an accurate representation of how our mind plays tricks on us, and that we can really be our own worst enemies.

Shepherd recorded all sound effects in her home, hence contributing another personal layer to an already authentic vision. Such distinctive style conveys not only the sense of dread night-time presents, but also the chance to embrace it.

— Nathan Hardie