The Abyss Within

Noorah AlBlooshi

The Abyss Within

2025

29.7 × 42 cm

Drawing

The Abyss Within is a surreal drawing that explores the inner depths of the mind through an imagined underwater world. Created on A3 paper using pencil, the work moves away from realism and instead uses symbolism and distortion to express emotional and psychological states that exist beneath the surface.

The scene takes place underwater, a space often associated with the subconscious, silence, and hidden thoughts. Within this environment, I introduced elements that do not belong to the sea, such as candles and a hot-air balloon, to create a sense of unease and dreamlike tension. The balloon is formed from a candle holder cup, and instead of a traditional balloon, an eye floats above it. This eye acts as a symbol of awareness, observation, and inner vision, watching and moving through the depth.

Scale plays an important role in the work. Seashells are drawn at an exaggerated size, making the familiar feel strange and overwhelming. By altering proportions and combining unrelated objects, the drawing reflects how thoughts and emotions can become distorted when we look inward for too long.

Through The Abyss Within, I wanted to visualize the subconscious as a place that is both quiet and unsettling. It is a space where imagination, fear, and self-awareness exist together, revealing that what lies within us is often more complex and surreal than what appears on the surface.