Tuesday 28th Jan
This past year has been an endless struggle. No new ideas, nothing inspires me. Creative block is a pain in the ass for sure. That’s why I’m going on this research trip. I forget who it was that told me, but at my last solo show someone told me about this amazing island. Tiny population, could drive the entire lap of the island in an hour. I think going somewhere new will be good for me. I’m writing this on the boat, and I can see the island, it’s just come into view. It’s been too long since I’ve gone on a trip anywhere. Way too long. I don’t know if this will cure my art block, but at this point I’ll try anything.
Sunday 2nd Feb
Saturday 15th Feb
Friday 21st Feb
Wednesday 16th April
Tuesday 11th March
JOURNAL OF AN UNKNOWN ARTIST
Something unexpected happened. My guide told me that locals say there are creatures on the island that are unlike anywhere else in the world. I thought by this he just meant that there were different species on the island that are native to only this place, like how the Galápagos Islands are home to Darwin’s finches. Creatures that have evolved to the specific climate and environment that this island possesses.
After searching the whole afternoon searching and inspecting the plant and animal life of the area, we hadn’t found anything particularly out of the ordinary. My guide said we might need to come back a few more times before the creatures of the island can “trust me” to reveal themselves. Just as we were packing up our gear, something caught my eye, moving down by the waves. I moved over to it - careful enough to not spook it, but fast enough that I would get there before it returned back to the sea.
The creature resembled a crab at first, with it’s familiar sideways movement, but when I drew closer I saw that this creature was unlike anything I’ve ever seen, or heard of. The top of its shell resembled a human heart, and its legs bore a similarity to bone. The creature, noticing my presence, stopped for a moment, before moving towards me slowly. I don’t know why I did it, but I lay my hand gently on the sand, palm up,
an invitation for it to climb aboard. And to my surprise, it did exactly that. My guide laughed when I showed him, and said I must have made a good impression. When I went to place the creature back by the sea, he stopped my arm. “He has decided to follow you on your journey now, and you must allow him to come with you and give him a home.”
Saturday 8th Feb
Well, I am stocking up on tanks. I don’t know how many I need, but at the moment I’ve just bought another two. I am excited to say that one of the two new tanks has a new guest! We returned to beach where we found the first creature. In a shallow rock pool half obscured by a patch of seaweed, I found what appears to be a sea slug. A vivid, beautiful pink. My painting in my field notebook doesn’t do it justice. It has the strangest body I’ve ever seen, and it’s going to sound weird of me to say, but it’s body looks like a human tongue. Its cerata, or what I think are its cerata, look fleshy too. This is also the case with its rhinophores on its head. My anatomy is not as good as that of a real scientist, so I’m having to do a lot of reading up on what I think the anatomy of these creatures are. I spoke to the guide about reaching out to some scientists, because surely these creatures need to be documented. He said that they have tried, but for some reason no one has ever come to the island in search of these creatures to study them. I can’t believe that this is the case. I’m reaching out to some people I know back home who may have some connections with people who study creatures like these and who can shed some light as to what they are. The world needs to know about them.
We came upon a rocky outcrop, and my guide pointed to something moving on it - another discovery. I never thought anything like this would happen to me. To say I’m blown away would be an understatement. My creative block, the struggles I’ve faced this year, have all drifted away. It all feels so long ago, a distant, hazy memory. This last creature was the most unusual of the bunch - a bug-like animal with the strangest anatomy. Four legs, and what I think are labium protruding from its head. It has what appears to be two antenna, and most curious of all, a body that resembles a human brain. I can’t work out what the biological advantage of this is - is it just purely cosmetic?
There must be some explanation as to why these creatures are like this.
Why do parts of them resemble human anatomy? And how is that even possible? I have to find the answer.
It’s been a few days since we returned home, and already the creatures have made themselves at home. They don’t mind their new tank (I keep them all together since they seem to attached to one and other) but they definitely are keen to explore my studio. I’ve moved into my studio full-time for now,
as I have so much creative energy flowing through me that all I want to do is create art, day and night, only stopping for necessary breaks. I’ve been in touch with everyone I know that could possibly help me in my quest for answers.
I’m not sure how to explain this, but the creatures have an interest in art. What started off as the creatures watching me work in my studio has developed into something entirely unexpected. They began to play with my art materials, especially the centipede creature. I’d be looking for ages for a particular pencil or pen, and find the creatures curiously trying to work out what the purpose of it is. I’m going to give them some paper and see what happens.
I knew it. There’s more creatures out there like them. The crab has improved at sketching enough to make recognisable shapes. The things he’s drawn have been mindblowing. Creatures that seem recognisable at first, and then as the drawing unfolds and the details appear, it becomes apparent that it’s no ordinary creature.
I have about 30 or so sketches that the crab has made, with the help of its creature friends. It’s like they want to communicate to me that there are others like them. No, I’m certain they are telling me this. A few scientists have been in touch and are going to come to visit the studio. I am closer to finding the answers I seek.
It’s been four days since I arrived on the island, and I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake. The island is gorgeous, sure - the food great, locals friendly, etc, but in terms of inspiration? This just feels like a holiday really. On Sunday a local guide is taking me to a part of the coastline that is quite tricky to get to, so we’ll have to take his little boat there to access it. There’s also a bit of a hike down some steep rocks to get there. I really hope it’s worth it. I guess at the very least I’ll get some good photos.
Wednesday 5th Feb
I can hardly believe what I am about to write. After the discovery of the crab-like creature, I felt so lucky. Something special had happened to me, and I was prepared to return home, triumphant and ready to make art inspired by this discovery like I’ve never even dreamed possible. I was content to just spend the rest of my time here exploring the island. But the island had other plans for me. Stepping out onto the balcony on a surprisingly cool night, I discovered the ashtray on the table had attracted a rather sorrowful visitor. Some pathetic creature was trapped and unable to escape, the sides of the tray much too slippery for it to climb. Upon rescuing the animal, I saw that it was a snail. Or, so I thought. Along its back there were strange spines, and similar to the crab creature, its body appeared to be made of a bone. Strangely, unlike other snails where its soft body possess a foot that protrudes from the shell to move itself, this snail creature only had a head that sticks out. Somehow it is able to move itself with just its head. For now I have placed it inside a tank in my room, next to the crab’s tank. I think at this rate I’m going to need more tanks.
Thursday 13th Feb
Friday 31st Jan
This is the trip of a lifetime. I didn’t discover another creature - a group of local children brought it to me. My guide told them about the purpose of my trip, and they wanted to bring me what they had found. I genuinely do not know what type of creature this is. Every new discovery we find is becoming more and more obscure,
to the point where I don’t even know what class these creatures belong to. I can only made guesses to the best of my ability. I’m calling this creature a centipede,
because that’s the closest thing I can think of. All over its body, it has rows and rows of these sharp spines, for defensive purposes I assume, but they all look to be made of something closely resembling teeth. I really, really need someone to look at this creature and tell me what on earth I am looking at.
Monday 17th Feb
I couldn’t bear to leave. I know there are more creatures out there on the island. But I need to return home, to find someone more knowledgable who can study these creatures, and give me the answers I’m searching for.
Saying farewell to the people I’ve met on this trip was more emotional than
I expected. I’ve promised to write to my guide and keep him updated.
He’s become just as attached to these little beings as I have. I don’t know how they will take to their new home, but I know for sure that they have really taken to each other. They’ve formed what appears to be a family of misfits.
Monday 24th Feb
The creatures continue to surprise me every day. They know their way around the studio, and watch me while I work. I let them roam freely now, I know they are safe and they can return to their tank whenever they need. Their personalities are really starting to shine - the crab is the clear leader of the group, and the others dutifully follow wherever it he goes. They’re so curious - watching everything I do with fascination. The feeling is mutual.
Thursday 27th March
My crab friend has learned to draw. And every day he gets better and better. At first he just made hesitant marks on the paper. But after watching me more closely, seeing how I turn marks into recognisable forms, he soon learned to create proper shapes. The other creatures eagerly help him - passing him materials, helping him hold a pencil, etc. It’s heartwarming to see them work together like this. I’m so excited to see where this goes.
Monday 28th April
I know that no one is going to believe that this has all been possible. They’ll think that the drawings are mine, and the creatures aren’t real. So I had to create proof. I set up my camera, and gave the creatures every art tool I had to hand, and together they made something mindblowing. I’ve sent this video to everyone I can think of - to show them this amazing discovery. No one is sure what to make of it - those that have met the creatures instantly understand that something much bigger than us is happening. Tomorrow the team of scientists are coming to the studio, and we’ll finally start to learn what these creatures are. I’m not entirely sure they’re of this earth. Part of me thinks they’re from the distant past, or the far flung future. They’re familiar but alien.
I’ve decided I will return to the island. I’ve bought a small house not far from the beach where the crab and I were first acquainted. I know it’s where I need to be. This is what the creatures want, what they need from me. I’m going to set up a collective there of scientists, artists, thinkers - those of that that need to know more. I’ll make sure the creatures are protected, this could easily become something disastrous for the creatures otherwise. If we can make efforts to understand and be sure to conserve them, we’ll unlock the secret to the island’s tiny inhabitants, and the world will be better for it. This is what I’ll dedicate my life to. I was chosen for this path, and I’ll follow it to the end.
JOURNAL OF AN UNKNOWN ARTIST
This past year has been an endless struggle. No new ideas, nothing inspires me. Creative block is a pain in the ass for sure. That’s why I’m going on this research trip. I forget who it was that told me, but at my last solo show someone told me about this amazing island. Tiny population, could drive the entire lap of the island in an hour. I think going somewhere new will be good for me. I’m writing this on the boat, and I can see the island, it’s just come into view. It’s been too long since I’ve gone on a trip anywhere. Way too long. I don’t know if this will cure my art block, but at this point I’ll try anything.
Tuesday 28th Jan
It’s been four days since I arrived on the island, and I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake. The island is gorgeous, sure - the food great, locals friendly, etc, but in terms of inspiration? This just feels like a holiday really. On Sunday a local guide is taking me to a part of the coastline that is quite tricky to get to, so we’ll have to take his little boat there to access it. There’s also a bit of a hike down some steep rocks to get there. I really hope it’s worth it. I guess at the very least I’ll get some good photos.
Friday 31st Jan
Something unexpected happened. My guide told me that locals say there are creatures on the island that are unlike anywhere else in the world. I thought by this he just meant that there were different species on the island that are native to only this place, like how the Galápagos Islands are home to Darwin’s finches. Creatures that have evolved to the specific climate and environment that this island possesses.
After searching the whole afternoon searching and inspecting the plant and animal life of the area, we hadn’t found anything particularly out of the ordinary. My guide said we might need to come back a few more times before the creatures of the island can “trust me” to reveal themselves. Just as we were packing up our gear, something caught my eye, moving down by the waves. I moved over to it - careful enough to not spook it, but fast enough that I would get there before it returned back to the sea.
The creature resembled a crab at first, with it’s familiar sideways movement, but when I drew closer I saw that this creature was unlike anything I’ve ever seen, or heard of. The top of its shell resembled a human heart, and its legs bore a similarity to bone. The creature, noticing my presence, stopped for a moment, before moving towards me slowly. I don’t know why I did it, but I lay my hand gently on the sand, palm up,
an invitation for it to climb aboard. And to my surprise, it did exactly that. My guide laughed when I showed him, and said I must have made a good impression. When I went to place the creature back by the sea, he stopped my arm. “He has decided to follow you on your journey now, and you must allow him to come with you and give him a home.”
Sunday 2nd Feb
I can hardly believe what I am about to write. After the discovery of the crab-like creature, I felt so lucky. Something special had happened to me, and I was prepared to return home, triumphant and ready to make art inspired by this discovery like I’ve never even dreamed possible. I was content to just spend the rest of my time here exploring the island. But the island had other plans for me. Stepping out onto the balcony on a surprisingly cool night, I discovered the ashtray on the table had attracted a rather sorrowful visitor. Some pathetic creature was trapped and unable to escape, the sides of the tray much too slippery for it to climb. Upon rescuing the animal, I saw that it was a snail. Or, so I thought. Along its back there were strange spines, and similar to the crab creature, its body appeared to be made of a bone. Strangely, unlike other snails where its soft body possess a foot that protrudes from the shell to move itself, this snail creature only had a head that sticks out. Somehow it is able to move itself with just its head. For now I have placed it inside a tank in my room, next to the crab’s tank. I think at this rate I’m going to need more tanks.
Wednesday 5th Feb
Well, I am stocking up on tanks. I don’t know how many I need, but at the moment I’ve just bought another two. I am excited to say that one of the two new tanks has a new guest! We returned to beach where we found the first creature. In a shallow rock pool half obscured by a patch of seaweed, I found what appears to be a sea slug. A vivid, beautiful pink. My painting in my field notebook doesn’t do it justice. It has the strangest body I’ve ever seen, and it’s going to sound weird of me to say, but it’s body looks like a human tongue. Its cerata, or what I think are its cerata, look fleshy too. This is also the case with its rhinophores on its head. My anatomy knowledge is not as good as that of a real scientist, so I’m having to do a lot of reading up on what I think the anatomy of these creatures are. I spoke to the guide about reaching out to some scientists, because surely these creatures need to be documented. He said that they have tried, but for some reason no one has ever come to the island in search of these creatures to study them. I can’t believe that this is the case. I’m reaching out to some people I know back home who may have some connections with people who study creatures like these and who can shed some light as to what they are. The world needs to know about them.
Saturday 8th Feb
This is the trip of a lifetime. I didn’t discover another creature - a group of local children brought it to me. My guide told them about the purpose of my trip, and they wanted to bring me what they had found. I genuinely do not know what type of creature this is. Every new discovery we find is becoming more and more obscure,
to the point where I don’t even know what class these creatures belong to. I can only made guesses to the best of my ability. I’m calling this creature a centipede, because that’s the closest thing I can think of. All over its body, it has rows and rows of these sharp spines, for defensive purposes I assume, but they all look to be made of something closely resembling teeth. I really, really need someone to look at this creature and tell me what on earth I am looking at.
Thursday 13th Feb
We came upon a rocky outcrop, and my guide pointed to something moving on it - another discovery. I never thought anything like this would happen to me. To say I’m blown away would be an understatement. My creative block, the struggles I’ve faced this year, have all drifted away. It all feels so long ago, a distant, hazy memory. This last creature was the most unusual of the bunch - a bug-like animal with the strangest anatomy. Four legs, and what I think are labium protruding from its head. It has what appears to be two antenna, and most curious of all, a body that resembles a human brain. I can’t work out what the biological advantage of this is - is it just purely cosmetic? There must be some explanation as to why these creatures are like this. Why do parts of them resemble human anatomy? And how is that even possible? I have to find the answer.
Saturday 15th Feb
I couldn’t bear to leave. I know there are more creatures out there on the island. But I need to return home, to find someone more knowledgable who can study these creatures, and give me the answers I’m searching for.
Saying farewell to the people I’ve met on this trip was more emotional than
I expected. I’ve promised to write to my guide and keep him updated.
He’s become just as attached to these little beings as I have. I don’t know how they will take to their new home, but I know for sure that they have really taken to each other. They’ve formed what appears to be a family of misfits.
Monday 17th Feb
It’s been a few days since we returned home, and already the creatures have made themselves at home. They don’t mind their new tank (I keep them all together since they seem to attached to one and other) but they definitely are keen to explore my studio. I’ve moved into my studio full-time for now, as I have so much creative energy flowing through me that all I want to do is create art, day and night, only stopping for necessary breaks. I’ve been in touch with everyone I know that could possibly help me in my quest for answers.
Friday 21st Feb
The creatures continue to surprise me every day. They know their way around the studio, and watch me while I work. I let them roam freely now, I know they are safe and they can return to their tank whenever they need. Their personalities are really starting to shine - the crab is the clear leader of the group, and the others dutifully follow wherever it he goes. They’re so curious - watching everything I do with fascination. The feeling is mutual.
Monday 24th Feb
I’m not sure how to explain this, but the creatures have an interest in art. What started off as the creatures watching me work in my studio has developed into something entirely unexpected. They began to play with my art materials, especially the centipede creature. I’d be looking for ages for a particular pencil or pen, and find the creatures curiously trying to work out what the purpose of it is. I’m going to give them some paper and see what happens.
Tuesday 11th March
My crab friend has learned to draw. And every day he gets better and better. At first he just made hesitant marks on the paper. But after watching me more closely, seeing how I turn marks into recognisable forms, he soon learned to create proper shapes. The other creatures eagerly help him - passing him materials, helping him hold a pencil, etc. It’s heartwarming to see them work together like this. I’m so excited to see where this goes.
Thursday 27th March
I knew it. There’s more creatures out there like them. The crab has improved at sketching enough to make recognisable shapes. The things he’s drawn have been mindblowing. Creatures that seem recognisable at first, and then as the drawing unfolds and the details appear, it becomes apparent that it’s no ordinary creature.
I have about 30 or so sketches that the crab has made, with the help of its creature friends. It’s like they want to communicate to me that there are others like them. No, I’m certain they are telling me this. A few scientists have been in touch and are going to come to visit the studio. I am closer to finding the answers I seek.
Wednesday 16th April
I know that no one is going to believe that this has all been possible. They’ll think that the drawings are mine, and the creatures aren’t real. So I had to create proof. I set up my camera, and gave the creatures every art tool I had to hand, and together they made something mindblowing. I’ve sent this video to everyone I can think of - to show them this amazing discovery. No one is sure what to make of it - those that have met the creatures instantly understand that something much bigger than us is happening. Tomorrow the team of scientists are coming to the studio, and we’ll finally start to learn what these creatures are. I’m not entirely sure they’re of this earth. Part of me thinks they’re from the distant past, or the far flung future. They’re familiar but alien.
I’ve decided I will return to the island. I’ve bought a small house not far from the beach where the crab and I were first acquainted. I know it’s where I need to be. This is what the creatures want, what they need from me. I’m going to set up a collective there of scientists, artists, thinkers - those of that that need to know more. I’ll make sure the creatures are protected, this could easily become something disastrous for the creatures otherwise. If we can make efforts to understand and be sure to conserve them, we’ll unlock the secret to the island’s tiny inhabitants, and the world will be better for it. This is what I’ll dedicate my life to. I was chosen for this path, and I’ll follow it to the end.
Monday 28th April