Four Layers

2018, 7 minutes

A struggling artist battles his mental health and self-doubt.

The Artist's fears of conformity, self doubt and losing his artistic integrity and skill is manifested as he has his back to the wall in his room, with people from the 'white world' forcing their way into his room and hammering a nail into his head. The Artist lives alone, his models and sculptures: Hearty, Black Cat and Lenore are the only family he has. As The Artist makes them a new friend, his conflicting thoughts are conveyed by two critics arguing about his work. He promptly tells Hearty to make them leave. The day job The Artist has in the 'white world' is one of monotony, meaninglessness, absurdity and boredom. As he continues pursuing his passion, people from the 'white world' continue to break down the walls of his home, The Artist puts up more of his art on the walls to barricade himself in, and keep 'them' out. His favourite figure, Hearty, is adamant about seeing the world beyond the walls of The Artist's home. The latter complies with great reluctance and, to his horror, loses Hearty in exchange for financial reward, though money has no meaning to The Artist. This most bitter of losses leaves him distraught, struggling to rediscover his artistic integrity. After one particularly inspiring extract from an Edgar Allen Poe collection inspires him, The Artist takes a hammer and nail to the head to one of those from the 'white world', exacting his revenge on those who would have him conform and take his artistic talent away from him.


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The Artist