In Deep Sleep, 2026

Kateryna Kostyk  

At the center of “In Deep Sleep" is a young woman sleeping on the back of a whale. This impossible scene is created through the language of surrealism, where a mammal becomes a symbolic extension of a human emotional state.

The woman is immersed in deep sleep, wrapped in a blanket. A sleep mask lies beside her. At this point, even the mask is no longer necessary. She seems to have reached a state in which there is no desire to do anything but remain in bed, lie still, and withdraw from everything happening around her.

This image conveys a state of apathy — an experience that many of us go through at some point in our lives. It is not simply tiredness or a need for rest. It is a state in which the desire to act disappears, even ordinary daily tasks can feel overwhelming, and the outside world can seem distant and indifferent. Although such a state can be difficult and uncomfortable, it is also part of the human experience and does not necessarily deserve self-judgment.

The whale is equally symbolic, as it spends much of its life in the immense depths of the ocean. Its connection with depth, silence, and a world largely invisible to the human eye creates a direct parallel with the idea of deep sleep and emotional withdrawal.
The use of blue in this artwork is also intentional. In psychological and cultural contexts, blue often carries melancholic associations, evoking sadness, loneliness, and emotional detachment. Here, it reinforces the atmosphere of apathy and inner withdrawal.

Despite its surreal form, this artwork is rooted in observation of real people. The characters in my series are not fictional. They exist in everyday life. They may be our friends, colleagues, or family members. Or perhaps, they are reflections of ourselves.

“In Deep Sleep" is an acknowledgment of those moments when we have nothing left to give, when the desire to do nothing becomes stronger than the desire to keep moving forward. It is a reminder that being in such a state does not make us weak or less worthy. Perhaps sometimes the most important thing is not to force ourselves to move forward immediately, but to acknowledge where we are and allow ourselves to simply be there.

And ultimately, the artwork leaves the viewer with a question:
“Is this my pace?"

At My Own Pace Series

“In Deep Sleep" is the third artwork in my surrealist series At My Own Pace. This series explores people and the different rhythms in which they live. Each artwork investigates a distinct way of experiencing life, reminding us that there is no right or wrong tempo. Some people are drawn to constant motion, while others find comfort in slowness and stillness. Every rhythm carries its own beauty, value, and strength.

The At My Own Pace series is created to help viewers recognize themselves within the works. In these artworks, the main character is not the depicted figure, but the viewer themselves. Through symbolic animal imagery, I explore human rhythms of life without judgment or hierarchy. There is no universally correct way to live — only a personal pace in which a person feels aligned with themselves.