PQHAÜS

All works and information showcased in this post are under the ownership of PQHAÜS. Please visit their website if you wish to learn more about this artist.

PQHAÜS is an anonymous American painter out of San Francisco, California, whose realist and surrealist artworks showcase themes of trauma, grief, isolation, loneliness, and the human condition.

Their work is based on their lived experiences. They showcase these different scenarios in ambiguous settings, allowing for each individual viewer to analyze the meaning of the works independently.

All of PQHAÜS’s work is done with Acrylic paint on canvas.

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Capturing Isolation

PQHAÜS’s work has an innate ability to convey human loneliness and isolation extremely accurately. Much of their work centers around family, versions of the self, and symbolism.

In “31 years old,” a man stands with balloons at a crossroads. He sees those around him on paths to their futures. They have careers, families, and he remains at a standstill.

“Thugging it out in silence” shows a man drowning in his struggles. A bag is over his head, shielding himself from the reality of his life.

“I think devils really got me this time” features a man lying across his childhood art, while he watches a vision of his younger self happily drawing. The warm sunlight streaming into the room and the plush, smiley face rug on the floor offer no comfort.

“Homesick for a place that no longer exists” features a man, now a statue, stuck in a hallway between two panes of glass. Behind one is his family. The other holds bloodied doves.

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Capturing Trauma

Most of PQHAÜS’s work revolves around trauma. Processing, reflecting, and retelling.

“Did you have another nightmare?” Shows a young boy in his pajamas running into the street, the moon tucked tightly under his arm. Fireflies dot the night air. His father, also clad in pajamas, stands several feet behind, poised with a net. The lights are on to the home and the front door remains open wide.

“Nothing’s wrong” depicts a seemingly innocuous family photo featuring a smiling father with his daughter on his shoulders. Her face is pointed downward, cast in shadow. Behind them is a beautiful field and mountain range. The right side of it is covered in flames, quiet violence under the guise of familial peace.

“What happened to you?” shows a line of adults staring into windows at their childhood selves dressed up for their dreams. The children, a pro soccer player, a ballerina, a doctor, and an astronaut, look back at their adult selves. Both sides ask each other the same question.

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Impact

I first encountered PQHAÜS’s work around 2020 via TikTok. I was instantly intrigued by their symbolist, simple art style. I am also drawn to the fact that their work is done in Acrylic. It’s inspiring to see a high-level artist able to convey such messages with such a simple medium. As I continue to make art, I hope to take away some lessons from PQHAÜS in storytelling.

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Contact

Instagram Facebook ajpetersenbusiness@gmail.com

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