Zarlor - Caress & Turbulence

Zarlor, born from anxiety, portrays the artist's quest to reconnect with Reunion Island amid mental health struggles. An internal odyssey unfolds through photos, symbolizing the journey from shadow to light, blending torment and healing.

Artist Statement:

Immersed in powerful anxiety crises, Zarlor was born from a visceral need to return to my source, my native place, Reunion Island. I needed to rediscover that vital breath that eluded me, and the immediate incapacity to return home intensified the torment of my crises, giving rise to dissociative episodes, spasms, insomnia, and nocturnal terrors.

Thus, trapped in my thoughts on an entirely different kind of island in the United States, at the heart of my depression, I embarked on an internal journey. The first one that presented itself to me: the journey through childhood memories, a refuge to mend what seemed broken.

The more my thoughts diverged into the unreal, the more narrative of Greek mythology paraded through my mind. In moments of joy, I envisioned myself embodying Ulysses, becoming the hero of my own Odyssey. Conversely, when night fell and everything weighed heavily on my mind, I felt ensnared in the murky waters of Hades, watching my soul wander in its abyss.

Zarlor narrates this journey towards resilience, with its torments and healing. The black-and-white photographs, captured during moments of anxiety, reflect what I no longer perceived as reality. Meanwhile, the colored images depict dreams that emerged during my depression, weaving a parallel with Greek mythology. This transformation, from shadow to light, evokes the shift from lead to gold, embodied by Zarlor, signifying "Treasure" in Reunionese Creole.

Beyond sensations, this body of work emerges from the intimate and becomes a shared odyssey. These images open a door for everyone to immerse themselves in this journey, exploring life's duality between caresses and turmoil. The project thus shapes itself as a spiritual quest, delving into our island identity. This collection of images reveals not only an artistic exploration of the depths of depression but also the magic that can emerge from the crucible of pain.