The Psychic State of Sorrow in Contemporary Society

The Psychic State of Emotional Suffering in Contemporary Society

Manas Kaewyotha

Dimensions: 150 x 220 cm

Technique: Mixed Media Painting

Introduction and Significance

In today's society, human existence is increasingly governed by complex rules, expectations, and social frameworks. The interconnectedness of individuals through intricate relational networks has, paradoxically, led to a growing sense of detachment from the self. Within these shifting dynamics, flaws and imperfections become internalized, often manifesting as persistent negativity and emotional burdens. This accumulation of sorrow has given rise to what I call a “psychic state of emotional suffering”—a phenomenon that reflects the existential weight carried by individuals within contemporary culture.

This state of suffering, while often buried in the subconscious, holds creative potential. It becomes the root of imaginative impulses that emerge in the form of abstract emotion. The present work seeks to translate this inner landscape into visual language, exploring how such emotional residues can be rendered through aesthetic form.

Objectives

This artwork serves to express my personal experience of sorrow within the modern societal context. It aims to present a work of abstract painting that channels the internal states of emotion into a visual composition. Furthermore, it seeks to share with the public the aesthetic and emotional resonance inherent in visual art, inviting viewers to contemplate and connect with the psychic dimension of suffering.

Conceptual Framework and Creative Process

The core concept lies in the belief that abstract painting has the capacity to express the intangible—namely, the psychic state of emotional distress experienced in the contemporary world. This condition arises from an invisible psychological pressure, one that stirs the subconscious into generating symbolic forms and textures. Through these forms, the mind externalizes its pain, offering a space for introspection and emotional connection.

The creative process involved a series of explorations and technical experiments using acrylic paint and traditional Thai white clay (dinso pong). Techniques such as pouring, dripping, and layering allowed the materials to act organically, guided by intuitive gestures and reactions. These techniques aim to reflect both the content and emotional intensity of the theme—abstract forms born from the subconscious become vehicles of psychological expression. Formal elements such as line, weight, color, texture, and shape were employed to evoke emotional resonance and to symbolize various facets of internal suffering.

Conclusion and Reflection

This work, The Psychic State of Emotional Suffering in Contemporary Society, is the culmination of an introspective and aesthetic journey. It embodies my attempt to articulate, through abstract form, the invisible weight of sorrow shaped by societal conditions. By synthesizing artistic principles with personal experience, I have sought to create a visual language that resonates with deeper emotional truths.

Influenced by the tradition of abstract art, the work connects inner emotion with external expression. While reducing realism, it constructs a unified composition of shapes and forms that symbolically express the subconscious. The creative process emphasized authenticity and psychological depth, allowing my personality and inner state to inform the final composition.

This piece offers not only a record of emotional exploration but also serves as a resource for those studying the intersection of art and emotion. It reflects the transformative power of art to give voice to the unspoken and to reveal the intimate terrain of the human psyche.