Terrores internos : a construção visual de sentimentos por meio do terror psicológico

Abstract

This research investigates the use of horror as an artistic language to represent feelings experienced during the undergraduate program in Visual Arts. Based on personal experiences, three personas—The Stranger, The Stalker, and Freedom—were developed to visually express emotions considered difficult to convey through words. The theoretical framework is based on the contributions of Sigmund Freud, through the concept of the uncanny, Michel Foucault, with his reflections on surveillance and power relations, and Naomi Wolf, through her discussion of the beauty myth and the mechanisms of control over the female body. In addition, the research engages with contemporary artists whose works contributed to the visual and conceptual development of the artworks produced. The methodology consisted of bibliographic research, the study of artistic references, experimentation with different artistic media, and the creation of an exhibition entitled Inner Terrors. As a result, illustrations, sculptures, and an installation were produced, seeking to transform subjective experiences into works capable of provoking reflection on identity, surveillance, freedom, and belonging. Throughout the research, it was observed that feelings initially understood as individuals also reflect broader social structures, demonstrating the potential of art and horror as tools for investigation and poetic expression.