SOMNIUM: MORPHO CYPRIS

Artist Ellie Kay can not conjure images in her mind at will, but that doesn’t stop the nightly movie marathon she experiences. As an artist with aphantasia, the inability to visualize mental images in the “mind’s eye”, she is inspired by what happens after we fall asleep. She created this series of photographs to act as a portal to her vivid dream realm, transporting viewers to a place where reflection occurs organically and we can uncover the parts of ourselves that are otherwise only accessible via our unconscious mind.

Butterflies are a harbinger of a simple message: “Profound personal growth and transformation is on the horizon”. Their blue color symbolizes expression and speaking your truth. Seeing pink blossoms in your dreams can indicate the need to extend compassion and empathy inward. Ask yourself, what needs remain unspoken and unexpressed? What desires have you buried? Are you giving yourself the same grace you give to others?

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.