Authors

Maxine Straub

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Digital Art

Advisor(s)

Ed Nadeau

Committee Members

Anna Martin, Michael Grillo

Graduation Year

May 2025

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

It may seem to many that reality and imagination have a clear distinction. However, for those who live with hyperphantasia, a condition where a person experiences hyper realistic mental imagery that can involve some, if not all five senses, the line is not always clear. Adding nightmares onto this condition creates the unique experience of living through the worst scenarios one can think of. This series of 30”x40” paintings details what life with both hyperphantasia and chronic nightmares can be like. The three pieces offer glimpses into the three different stages of the day and how hyperphantasia affects them: the first describes what it is like to experience nightmares with this condition; the second describes the whirlwind of waking up; and the third describes how thoughts can infiltrate moments throughout the day.

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