Oblivion
Oblivion is a social commentary painting on what happens when our obsession with our phones causes us to lose sight of the world happening around us.
At first glance, the painting captures a vibrant vintage Las Vegas pool scene. But in the distance, an atomic bomb is exploding—and almost no one notices. The adults remain consumed by their phones, focused on their screens while physical destruction unfolds directly in front of them. The only two people who notice the explosion are the children, because they are the only ones not holding phones.
The artwork itself is constructed from hundreds of hearts, representing the likes we chase across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and social media. They symbolize a culture increasingly driven by attention from strangers, validation, and the constant need to be seen online—even while becoming disconnected from what is happening in real life.
The atomic explosion creates a deliberate parallel between physical destruction and social destruction: one is immediate and impossible to ignore, while the other happens slowly through distraction, isolation, and our dependence on technology.
The imagery also pays homage to a surreal chapter of Las Vegas history, when visitors traveled to the city to witness distant atomic bomb tests in the Nevada desert. Oblivion reimagines that history for the social-media generation and asks a simple question: If the world were changing right in front of us, would we even look up long enough to notice?
Medium: Spray paint
Material: Painted twice on authentic plastics
Technique: Cut, woven, and reconstructed collage
Style: Contemporary mixed media, street art, urban nature fusion
Meaning: A vision of nature reclaiming city spaces during global pause
Finish: Resin