Ajul Unnikrishnan

After moving to the UK, I was inspired by the vast landscapes and diverse people I faced, which reminded me of my childhood in India. Growing up, I loved my homeland’s natural beauty and cultural richness. However, I witnessed the negative effects of rapid modernization, such as the loss of green spaces and traditional ways of life. This loss of green spaces and traditional culture, coupled with a huge increase in climate issues and man-made disasters. Through emotions in this project, I propose a speculative future where the artificial and natural realms converge, resulting in a complex and often contradictory relationship between humans and the environment. I will explore this concept through the creation of “futuristic surreal landscape bodyscapes,” with the help of software like Photoshop and AI, employing the human body as a metaphor for humanity’s dominance over nature. This project seeks to explore and express my personal emotions surrounding the significant transformations in landscapes and cultures caused by modernization. By connecting these personal experiences to broader societal changes, I hope to connect with individuals who feel a similar longing for their homeland and are aHected by these transformations. Through a post-humanist vision, I aim to envision and represent a new kind of landscape that reflects the evolving relationship between humans, nature, and technology. In this project, I aim to explore the intersection of landscape art and surreal imagery through a variety of approaches. My work goes beyond simply creating images; it’s an experiment that delves into the eHects of modernization, particularly focusing on human-made natural exploitations and the mutations they bring about. I want my images to evoke emotions and memories, especially those tied to the loss or transformation of one’s homeland. To achieve this, I plan to photograph with a focus on posthumanism, merging natural elements with human body parts using tools like Photoshop and AI. “I aim to create images that evoke deep emotional responses, encouraging viewers to reflect on their experiences with changing landscapes. By incorporating evidence from photos, journals, and personal stories, I want to craft a visually compelling experience that connects themes of memory, loss, and our evolving relationship with the environment.