The Fragility of Impulse

"We reach for beauty with crude, tangled mechanisms. Suspended between primal instinct and delicate idealization, the act of holding onto something pure often requires a grotesque display of control—unaware of the quiet decay unfolding beneath the surface."

A haunting surrealist drawing depicting a grotesque human-octopus hybrid reaching toward a delicate butterfly with skeletal, mechanical limbs. Intricate pencil shading, anatomical details, and bizarre organic forms create a thought-provoking exploration of beauty, control, and decay. A distinctive piece of monochrome wall art for collectors of dark surrealism, gothic illustrations, and imaginative fine art.

~ Created in 2026 (12" x 12")

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ABOUT THE CREATOR

Jer or Jeramie Lim is a visual artist and illustrator based in Pampanga, Philippines, working primarily in charcoal and graphite.

His work combines hyper-realistic anatomical detail with dark, surrealist narratives. Returning to the canvas after an extended hiatus, Jeramie revisits earlier surreal concepts through deeper chiaroscuro, refined textures, and heightened technical precision. His pieces often explore memory, psychological weight, and the unseen forces that shape human experience.

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ABOUT OFF SKIN

This artwork is part of 'Off Skin', an exhibition by Likhaan in collaboration with Curio Collective, featuring tattoo artists whose creative practices extend beyond the body. Through different mediums and forms of expression, the exhibition celebrates the artistic identities, perspectives, and creative explorations that exist beyond tattooing.

Discover the full 'Off Skin' collection and explore another side of the artists behind the ink here: [link]