“Experiment 118 (#118),” created in 2015 by artist Mark Ryden, is an oil painting that embodies the Lowbrow Art movement and belongs to the genre of genre painting. This artwork is part of the “Dodecahedron” series.
The artwork depicts a young girl with a solemn expression, seated at a table. Her attire is a white dress with a rounded collar and puffed sleeves, enhancing the sense of innocence juxtaposed with the peculiar objects around her. Spread out on the table are various objects and creatures: colorful spheres, what appears to be a foreign, rock-like structure, and several odd biological specimens including an eel, sea creature, and a fetus encased in a transparent orb. The scene evokes a surreal, almost clinical atmosphere, characteristic of Ryden’s penchant for blending whimsical and eerie elements.
