Unfortunate Guest

This work was inspired by the idiom “the elephant in the room,” which refers to an obvious problem that everyone is aware of but chooses to ignore. In today’s society, issues such as environmental pollution, hunger, and human rights violations are widely recognized, yet many people remain passive, hoping others will take action.

The piece visually portrays this indifference through a seemingly harmonious family dinner scene. The table is filled with abundant food and warm conversation, but beside the family sits a transparent boy—created using clear resin to represent a starving child. Though physically present, he is treated as invisible, symbolizing how society often turns a blind eye to known issues.

The stark contrast between the cheerful meal and the boy’s presence emphasizes the gravity of the problem. The work encourages viewers to reflect on what they may be overlooking in their own lives and urges them to move beyond awareness toward meaningful action.

Jeyi Park is a junior at Cornerstone Collegiate Academy of Seoul in Korea. Across various mediums—including drawing, painting, fashion, and photography—she explores layered social and emotional themes. Her recent work centers on the idea of “the elephant in the room,” examining unspoken truths and hidden tensions that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Through visual storytelling, Jeyi brings these silences to the surface, encouraging reflection and dialogue among viewers. She hopes her work creates a space where people can confront what is usually left unsaid and connect more deeply with their own inner experiences.