If you've ever struggled with depression, you know how debilitating and consuming it can be. When you're in the depths of depression, it's very hard to see any kind of silver lining. Sometimes, however, difficult experiences can manifest inspiring, profound, and beautiful artistic expressions.
Polish artist Dawid Planeta began to illustrate his journey with depression in order to help himself cope, and we're so glad he did. His hauntingly beautiful artworks portray a man wandering through a dark and wild jungle landscape, encountering massive beasts and mysterious structures along the way.
Dawid accompanies each of his works with corresponding quotes, which we have included below.
“I made up my mind not to care so much about the destination, and simply enjoy the journey.”
― David Archuleta
“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”
― J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird
The giant animals represent the fears and weaknesses that Dawid's wanderer faces as he deals with his depression.
“Allow the power to flow through you. Don’t try to capture it. You wish only to borrow it.”
― G.G. Collins
“Everything you can imagine is real.”
― Pablo Picasso
Notice that most of the animals have glowing eyes. In fact, many of the works include small points of light amid the darkness. Could these lights represent little moments of hope that sustain us through depression?
“The most important thing is this: to sacrifice what you are now for what you can become tomorrow.”
― Shannon L. Alder
“Stopping, sitting down and finding time for reflection are considered to be the most essential action related to fulfilling a human’s destination”
― Sunday Adelaja
“If size really mattered, the whale, not the shark, would rule the waters.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo
“The deeper I go into myself the more I realize that I am my own enemy.”
― Floriano Martins
In many of the pieces, a sense of fear is quite palpable. Others seem to communicate sentiments of wonder, mystery, or listlessness.
“Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, both dark and bright, and they will ensnare your soul.”
― Robert Beatty, Serafina and the Black Cloak
“One challenge at a time, I try to turn into the face of fear and tell it “you are not my master, you are the product of my self and I am your master.” I look into the monster’s eyes until it disappears. Then I am free.”
― Rohvannyn Shaw
“…I started to realize how many great things could happen by confronting the things that scare you most.”
― David Archuleta
“Fear is the ghost of ancient.
It consumes faithless human.”
― Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut
“If you don’t know where you are going,
you’ll end up someplace else.”
― Yogi Berra
“There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.”
― Vincent Van Gogh
“There are as many worlds as there are kinds of days, and as an opal changes its colors and its fire to match the nature of a day, so do I.”
― John Steinbeck
“The stiller you are the calmer life is.”
― Rasheed Ogunlaru
“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”
― Pema Chödrön
“To be wise means to know when to stay silent.”
― Kamand Kojouri
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
― Abbie Hoffman
Which of Dawid Planeta's pieces was your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below. And please be sure to visit his website and Facebook page, where you can see more of his work.