SOMNIUM: DANAUS PLEXIPPUS

Though she can't picture things in her mind’s eye, artist Ellie Kay is inspired by the vivid experiences she has in her dreams. As someone with aphantasia, she is fascinated by the brain’s ability to process the subconscious mind through stories. She conceptualized this series of photographs to serve as a portal to her surreal sleep realm, and to connect the viewer with parts of themselves intertwined with grief.

In dreams, monarch butterflies are the messengers of those who have passed. The bright orange marigold flowers, known in Mexico as cempasúchil, are considered a beacon of the dead and are believed to guide your ancestors home. The vibrant blanket flowers symbolizes warmth, optimism, and resilience, reminding you that you can get through life’s challenges. With your loved one as your guide, what could you overcome?

Ellie Kay is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the way we translate lived experience into storytelling. Working primarily in photography, she creates series and immersive installations that examine the relationship between the body, identity, and transformation, often drawing from themes such as morals, ethics, and civic obligations. Her unfolding projects continue to explore the liminal space between who we are and who we want to be. Her art frequently centers the inner world, offering space for individuals to challenge conventional narratives.