Alona Fiandaca

Drowning in Bliss

Self-PortraitDigital Photography

“"Drowning in Bliss" is an homage to the 19th century painting "Ophelia" (1851-52) by English painter John Everett Millais. Inspired by Shakespeare's play "Hamlet", my project is a twist on the morbid tale. Shakespeare's written language on the heroine's suicide was visually painted in a beautiful tone by Millais, excluding any morbid or graphic detail. My project represents each subject comfortably floating, their bodies relaxed and one with the water. I wanted to separate my work from Millais by making each image colourful and vibrant, to dignify that death doesn't not have to be sorrowful. The subjects are surround by flowers (in which they embrace) as a way of representing a loyalty to an inevitable end of life. "Drowning in Bliss" stands for accepting death as a friend, and believing your life has been fulfilled until the very last second. ”