Shells
What Moved the Judges
“The series of drawings stands out by its originality, artistic quality, and nuanced balancing of abstraction and organic shapes that hint at symbiotic textures of the natural world but also human patterns…”
The Shells series embodies the human essence of seeking refuge within oneself, mirroring the cyclical pauses and retreats we take to endure and evolve through life’s stages. A pause for reflection and renewal amidst the pressures of a hyper-productive world. They invite viewers to honor the quiet, protective spaces we create to restore our inner strength.
This winning piece stood out to our editors “for its originality, artistic quality, and nuanced balance of abstraction and organic form—evoking symbiotic textures of the natural world while echoing human patterns.” In a culture that glorifies constant motion and productivity, Shells inspires an introspective approach to peacemaking, encouraging us to turn inward as we take steps toward healing and transformation.
As the artist notes, “Shells celebrates the cyclical nature of retreat and renewal as part of the human journey. It reminds us that healing is not passive; it is an active process of listening, nurturing, and emerging renewed. Through this lens, the series contributes to peacemaking by affirming that change and harmony begin within the self, and that honoring our inner sanctuaries allows us to engage with the world from a place of compassion and strength.”
Shee Gomes is a Brazilian visual artist with a BA in Digital Design, whose practice in non-objective painting investigates color, perception, and sensoriality. Her work, marked by expressive color and brushwork, explores harmony and “sonority”, to reflect her perceptions of the world. Since 2009, she has exhibited internationally, including in Germany, the UK, Canada, the USA, and Switzerland, and her art has appeared in publications like Chestnut Review, The Four Faced Liar, Mukoli, Big Wing Review, among others. Her work can be found on Instagram at @shee_arts.