Survivalist by Connor Daniels

Survivalist is a striking portrait of psychological endurance and biomechanical adaptation. Drawn entirely in ballpoint pen, it depicts a figure gripping their own face — caught between organic expression and synthetic augmentation. The artwork fuses fear, transformation, and resilience into a single composition, making it a compelling piece for collectors of futurist and conceptual portraiture.

The central figure is layered with visual tension — hands claw at the face, revealing complex inner circuitry and mechanical parts. One eye looks directly outward while the mouth appears disrupted or fractured, suggesting both defiance and disorientation. Behind the main subject, an enlarged, mask-like head stares with a fixed, stunned expression, adding narrative weight. The piece articulates survival as a physical and emotional mutation — a forced evolution under pressure.

• Linework: Crosshatching builds density and depth

• Contrast: Dual expressions (the real and the masked) evoke multiplicity of self

• Symbolism: Wires, tubes, and mechanical joints replace bones and veins, illustrating survival in a digitised, fractured world.

This work commands space. It suits high-contrast interiors with minimal distractions:

• Studio walls

• Study nooks or reading corners

• Futurist or monochrome design palettes
  Perfect for collectors interested in cyberpunk aesthetics, narrative realism, or Afrofuturist design.