Magazine Description: Art is often used as an escape.

It is interesting this issue to observe many of the featured artists tackle concepts of reality and fantasy in their own unique way; whether it is a key influence in their practice or an unintentionally added layer of intrigue to their work.

While cover artist Stephanie Ho takes observed aspects of reality and uses them to create alternate worlds not dissimilar to our own, artists such as Aleksandra Laika present work based on folklore and fiction, using elements of reality more as an embellishment to enrich than to validate.

Even Holly Rozier’s sculptures which appear completely alien as they engulf their surroundings are based on human forms; though engorged and exaggerated they are born from Rozier’s real-world experiences.

When observing a work that is new and exciting, we are presented with a world different to how we know it, and we become free to look past the everyday of our own surroundings. We are free to ponder alternate universes, truths and ideas, and to decide ‘what’s real anyway?’