PRAYER FOR THE NEWLY DAMNED

How can poetry be translated into the visual and physical realm? "House of Cards" is an intricate and powerful visual exploration of themes such as violence, innocence, and religion, inspired by the haunting poetry of Ocean Vuong’s “Prayer for the Newly Damned.” Through a carefully crafted series of graphic cards, I aimed to channel the dark, Southern Gothic imagery and the raw emotional intensity that permeates Vuong’s work, with the goal of amplifying the stark and visceral nature of his words. Each card has been designed to incorporate black-and-white religious symbols, bold geometric shapes, and fragmented forms that reflect the complexity of the poem’s emotional landscape. The result is more than just a visual experience; it is a profound confrontation with Vuong’s unflinching exploration of western religion’s most harrowing, unsettling, and deeply human realities.