Text & Illustrations: Katarzyna Babis
10+
48 pages
Hardcover
21,5 x 25, 5 cm
(Widnokrąg)
“Elephant in the room” is an English idiom for an obvious truth that is going unaddressed.
The idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk that no one wants to discuss or a condition that no one wants to challenge.
When I’m asleep my hands make yellow paper cranes.
They’re here when I’m awake.
But then sometimes I open my eyes and there are no yellow paper cranes.
Just a red paper elephant in the room.
This is a history of untold problems and fears, which when ignored, grow immensely. It is a story about loneliness, and feeling lost, and helpless in the world. It tells us what happens when one does not know how to deal with problems or ask for help.
The author uses origami to materialize her stresses and experiences. Cranes and elephants show her the way to start coping with problems. She looks for ideas to solve her problems and plans for a fresh start.
The illustrations are made using many techniques: acryl on canvas, watercolors, digital graphics, and collage. The original illustrations were made in various formats – from A4 size to canvases a few meters high.
