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InspirationIllustration

Surreal illustrations by Mariano Pascual inspired by the 'crazy reality' of life in lockdown

The panic buying of toilet roll. Not being able to leave our homes. The reliance on alcohol, maybe just a little too much. These are just some of the things we've come to accept as the "new normal" following weeks of lockdown, and they've been illustrated for a new series by Mariano Pascual.

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Stacked toilet rolls with a paintbrush on top sit on a turquoise kitchen counter surrounded by scattered objects including fruits, cleaning supplies and insects

Called The Lockdown, the vibrant artworks aren't of scenes from the Argentinian's apartment in Barcelona but plucked from his imagination. They're supposed to represent his own mind: "The scenes look messy and a little bit untidy because I think that my thoughts are not in order as well," Mariano tells Creative Boom.

"I wanted these rooms to feel compressed and packed, full of objects to give the idea that they are trying to suffocate us. And to be honest, all this time confined at home and spending a lot of hours in the same space sometimes ends up being a bit chaotic."

Mariano says he enjoyed adding lots of detail to the illustrations, some funny and unexpected that could tell a different story. His work is usually abstract, full of bold and playful shapes, pattern and textures. "For this series, I chose to go with a more realistic style," he adds. "I think it's a great time to reinvent yourself. Besides, I've always loved the magic in reality and how the ordinary has the power to become extraordinary."

A cluttered desk featuring a vintage computer with sticky notes, keyboard, wine bottle and glass, desk lamp, scattered papers and office supplies against a blue tiled wall with floating objects above
A yellow-framed window in a turquoise brick wall showing an abstract, surreal illustration of disembodied eyes and curved shapes in pink, white and black
Bathroom overhead view by Mariano Pascual with a jar of green liquid, toilet roll, cleaning supplies and toiletries surrounded by floating bubbles on yellow tiled floor
Yellow sofa with torn upholstery and green patches against a light blue background, illustrated as a Polaroid-style artwork by Mariano Pascual
Surreal illustration of a chaotic room with large cardboard boxes, a fire extinguisher, barrel, UFO, potted plants and various objects scattered across a turquoise tiled floor
Polaroid-style illustration of a round glass table with metal legs on a pink background, with one green leg among the grey ones
A blue vase with wilting red flowers wearing a face mask sits among scattered pills, tissues and a glass of water in a cluttered pink room with a lamp and framed pictures on the wall
Pink-framed window in a turquoise brick wall with yellow panes showing a silhouetted figure's head in profile against the glass
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