PROPHYLAXIS

In a stark and unnerving scene, a Sleep Demon lies on a stone slab, its jaw stretched wide open as it undergoes a dental cleaning. The demon's large, sharp carnivore teeth are the focal point, encrusted with a layer of plaque that urgently needs removal. The demon winces in pain, eyes squeezed shut, while the dentist wields an ominous tool that vibrates with the intensity of a power drill, working meticulously to clean each tooth. "Prophylaxis" captures the visceral experience of the artist's return to the dentist after a 15-year hiatus, a journey driven by the desire to correct crooked front teeth that had long been a source of self-consciousness. The painting conveys the physical discomfort and mental strain of the procedure, a moment where one must endure the invasive sensations and breathe through the nose, retreating to a mental space of coping. Through this depiction, viewers are invited to feel the raw vulnerability and intense discomfort associated with dental work, particularly after a long absence. "Prophylaxis" serves as a visual testament to overcoming personal insecurities and the pain endured in the pursuit of self-improvement.