Girl in a Labyrinth of Food – Gan Sze Hooi

Gan Sze Hooi
91 x 116.5cm
Oil on Canvas
2025

Inspired by the film Pan’s Labyrinth, this artwork reflects the tension between desire and restraint. The story follows a girl trapped in a maze without food, warned not to touch the feast before her. Unable to resist, she takes a few bites, unaware that the food is a secret test by an evil force. This cautionary tale parallels the dilemmas we face in modern life—navigating a world filled with temptations and hidden traps.

Through my exploration of mapping, I’ve come to realize that a map is a maze, and a maze is a map—both serve as metaphors for movement, decision-making, and abstract concepts of control and fate. These visual elements act as tools for constructing my artistic universe, bridging history, culture, and personal narratives.

At its core, this work questions whether we control our desires or if our desires control us. The labyrinth represents the path of life, where every choice leads us deeper into self-discovery or deception. In today’s world, many fall prey to materialistic enticements—advertisements, financial traps, and the illusion of wealth. This contrast is visually represented through color: the blue side symbolizes restraint and mindfulness, urging us to pause, while the red side embodies desire—where excitement, consumption, and indulgence dominate, particularly among younger generations.

By reinterpreting historical and cultural symbols, such as Kapitan Yap Ah Shak’s body shape, this work reflects how traditions, choices, and temptations shape our journey. The question remains—will we navigate wisely, or be consumed by the maze of desire?