Eerie Artworks by ECU Students Celebrate the Scary Season

Can you feel it? Leaves are falling, the nights grow longer and mysterious mists are mustering in the moonlit mausoleums of our alchemical autumn imaginations.

That’s right! It’s the Scary Season again!

This year, we have a spine-chilling selection of infernal imagery to share with you, all created by ECU’s terrifyingly talented students!

From abominable illusions of the afterlife to unnerving observations of the lantern-lit land of the living, read on to encounter the dreadful, delightful and dreamlike designs devised by our devilish devotees of the dark arts!

A blood-curdling howl of thanks to all the incredible practitioners who shared their weird and wonderful work with us this year.

And as always, a whispered word of foretelling: we prophesy that your enchantment will be ominously enhanced if you pair your reading ritual with your most treasured trick or treat!

Scroll down ... if you dare!

1. Will Bryant

“Decay comes in clearly defined and well-known stages,” says second-year Visual Arts student Will Bryant says of Fig. 1-5.

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Trading candy with others after going trick-or-treating.

Follow Will on Instagram to see more of his work.

2. Soo Choi

Third-year 3D Computer Animation student Soo Choi says A Part I Can’t Reach is “a reflection on the struggle to grasp the immaterial. The figure desperately tries to tear through themself to take control of emotion — love, hate, longing — yet finds nothing tangible. The work reveals the tension between control and surrender, and the frustration of the unreachable depths within the self.”

Of Silken Rot she writes, “Beneath the sheen of refinement, decay blooms. Silken Rot captures the grotesque elegance of a woman shaped for admiration — layers of delicacy conceal quiet ruin under its skin, echoing how femininity, polished to perfection, begins to decompose under the weight of expectation.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Writing letters to what’s been lost during the year, then burning them in the chill air, or taking solitary twilight walks when the fog rolls in. Classic.

Visit Soo’s website to see more of her work.

3. Avery Danzer

“Sweet Bite is a multidisciplinary work using clay, plaster, fabric, yarn, and a variety of other materials. It aims to combine both cute and creepy aesthetics, pushing the limits of one’s view of innocence or cuteness,” says third-year Visual Arts student Avery Danzer of her work.

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Taking long walks in the forest once the sun goes down.

Visit Avery’s website to see more of her work.

4. Andrew Fryer

“Fourth-year Illustration student Andrew Fryer says, “Music provides a means to find emotional support and buoyancy. In private, I enjoy it as a means of respite and inspiration, fuel for creativity. In a crowd, with musicians performing music, you can overcome initial trepidation and feel accepted as part of the shared emotional experience; overcome fear. Fear can be as binding as a gorgon’s gaze, creating the crippling effects of anxiety, binding us to our home and shrinking our place of comfort. Anxiety then casts its long shadow of depression. But fear can give way to surprise and joy. Personally, I have found joy in the metal scene.

“Don’t fear the longer shadows. Gather them up and take comfort in their mystery.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
It would have to be pumpkin carving.

Visit Andrew on Bluesky to see more of his work.

5. Rhiannon Fudge

Fourth-year Visual Arts student Rhiannon Fudge says Jewel Box comprises “a dark surrealist diptych of a dissected rat filled with jewellery where the organs should be, and a jewellery box filled with rat organs where jewellery should be.

“I am primarily a painter who works most often in oils. I have always been interested in the relationship between beauty and the macabre. The concept of Memento Mori is prominent in my work, and I enjoy depicting themes of death, rebirth, the life cycle and decomposition. I often depict animals in my paintings who are in unconventional, surreal or occult-like settings. I want to evoke the feeling of witnessing something you aren’t supposed to. Additionally, I am fascinated with Victorian death culture and taxidermy. The way they preserved life and memory, and their immense morbid curiosity in science, is something I like to draw on often as well.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Personally, I love everything about Halloween. I love making my costume and seeing all the decorations on people’s houses. I like going to haunted houses and watching scary movies. I think being able to be unapologetically strange is what makes me so drawn to this time of year. Ghosts and ghouls can walk the street, and the weirdos can be their freakish selves.

Follow Rhiannon on Instagram to see more of her art.

6. Sara Gladden

Third-year Visual Arts student Sara Gladden is one of our returning artists this year. Check out last year’s Eerie Artwork special to see her entry!

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
I like to go to rock shows in a fun costume.

Follow Sara on Instagram to see more of her art.

7. Shari He

“Taking a Breath is an exploration of what it would look like if a UI becomes alive, as shown with the hair, fleshy imagery and breathing movement. It’s set in a horror game with weird, mysterious places,” says fourth-year Illustration student Shari He.

Meanwhile, The Poolrooms is “a weird combination of things aimed to create a sense of uneasiness.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Preparing for Halloween. It’s my #1 holiday and I make my own costume every year. Definitely participating in the costume contest this year!

Follow Shari on Instagram to see more of her art.

8. Geneva Hillrich

“For this piece, I wanted to play with how perspective looks on humans,” says first-year Illustration student Geneva Hillrich. “My goal was to make her head very close to the viewpoint from an above angle. Some tweaks could be made but I'm overall quite happy with the product. I love the contrast of the green and purple.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Watching horror movies.

Follow Geneva on Instagram to see more of her art.

9. Enya Hu

“The Earth rumbled as the ground began to split open – born from the newly-formed crevasse was the bare head of a man,” says first-year Visual Arts student Enya Hu of her painting 2345. “Possessing no distinct facial features or bodily measures, the Head was a conscious piece of matter only marked by the indents mapping out a human’s face like a mannequin. As soon as it emerged from the ground, it struggled about wildly, but to no avail as it could not shake loose from the compacted dirt trapping its neck. Restrained physically, curiosity started developing in its consciousness. It knew that the world existed beyond its senses, yet could not process it, although strongly allured by its potential. What could it possibly be like? With determination and focus, the Head wished for instruments that would allow it to experience the world. Suddenly, eyes bloomed like flowers on its face, and thereafter, fingers grew out of what would be hair follicles, ears formed like mushrooms, and all the senses came together to answer its question. Thus, the Head was able to experience the world, unobstructed.”

Additionally, Enya notes the mixed-media work Surreal Reality “explores the tension of navigating personal and societal expectations as I approach adulthood. The juxtaposed imagery reflects the contrast between my aspirations and the stagnation of my present self, highlighting the inner conflict between unworldly dreams and the harsh reality of life.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Pumpkin pie guzzling.

Follow Enya on Instagram to see more of her art.

10. Sherly Vermont Kwerni

Second-year Illustration student Sherly Vermont Kwerni is another of our returning artists this year. Check out last year’s Eerie Artwork special to see their entry!

Sherly says this year’s submission, Nature’s Puppet, “is an interactive life-sized puppet of myself for my drawing class, made with watercolour paper, cardboard and strings. I took inspiration from the relationship between mother nature and humankind, how humans constantly steal resources from mother nature, puppeting and exploiting her. What if the roles are reversed and mother nature takes revenge on humankind?”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Carving pumpkins with my loved ones and drinking all sorts of hot tea!

Follow Sherly on Instagram to see more of her art.

11. Sam Lautzenhiser

First-year Illustration student Sam Lautzenhiser says his Untitled work was created “at a time where I was in a very prolonged depressive episode in an attempt to depict some of those feelings visually.”

Meanwhile, Void Weaver is “a sort of sketchy representation of what I imagine to be some giant, mythical being that weaves through the void stitching together the fabric of reality.”

Follow Sam on Instagram to see more of his work.

12. Drew Lee

Second-year 3D Computer Animation student Drew Lee says “I’ve always loved working on unsettling and eerie artworks.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Bingeing shows, especially K-dramas, and trying to finish a season in a day while lying on the bed.

Follow Drew on Instagram to see more of his work.

13. Eliza Miller

Third-year Visual Arts student Eliza Miller says Vulgaris is “a creepy, two-headed, six-legged, open-mouthed, acne-covered creep.”

Eliza Miller is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Vancouver, Canada. Fascinated by the weird, she blends creepy and cute in all that she creates. Eliza is currently studying Visual Arts at Emily Carr University, where she enjoys exploring all avenues of art making. As a middle child of two brilliant sisters, Eliza relies on her artwork to gain any semblance of attention she can - and communicate her existential angst.

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Bingeing shows, especially K-dramas, and trying to finish a season in a day while lying on the bed.

Follow Eliza on Instagram to see more of her work.

14. Elena Mohebbi

“A healing heart hesitates to trust…don’t you think?” writes Continuing Studies Visual Arts student Elena Mohebbi of Can I show my love for you? “At some points it might even lock itself up behind the cages just for extra protection, but hey…we all deserve to love and to be loved.”

Of One more?, she writes “Quitting…when you know it’s time. When you know you can’t bear to find yourself in the same place again…and yet, you stay. You linger, pushing yourself quietly toward the edge of your own horizon…the slow drift into death’s dim light. And in this case that 'last cigarette' turns into a hanging rope until….”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Walking and admiring the autumn leaves.

Follow Elena on Instagram to see more of her work.

15. Peony Ng

“Just a corroding pumpkin” writes first-year Master of Fine Arts student Peony Ng of Pumpkin King. “No theatrics, just the quiet horror of entropy. It’s seen things, and now it’s un-becoming.”

Peony Ng is an artist born and raised in Hong Kong who explores the liminal extrapolations between dream-like elements and urban spaces under construction. Graduating with a BFA from University of Victoria in 2025, she has been utilizing drawing and installation art as her primary medium. With architectural and subliminal spaces, she intends to explore the shared nostalgia found within the archived memory. The illustrations she works with are renowned for their dreamlike elements and abstract depictions, bringing viewers into her dreamlike spectacular.

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?

Trick or treating.

Follow Peony on Instagram to see more of her work.

16. Stephanie Panagsagan

“This is a personal piece relating to my personal experience,” writes first-year Film + Screen Arts student Stephanie Panagsagan of her work. “SchoolGirl shows a manic state of entering an even more complex situation once they finally arrive in their sanctuary. Unimaginable emotional events, but most especially rooting from overstimulation and overwhelming events from the outside world. Every unacceptable, unconventional emotional state translates into something colourful, rather than dark and horrifying.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Collecting (stealing) candies from my neighbour - all of them, since the landlord lives at the very corner of the apartment and we’re closer to him, and no one else seems to be interested in getting the candies since (I’d assume) they’re really old and busy working, I get them for myself instead! Has happened two years in a row already.

Follow Stephanie on Instagram to see more of her work.

17. Thaïs Payant

First-year Visual Arts student Thaïs Payant says Skelly “was inspired by American Gothic (1930) and I wanted to make my own variation. They are kind of otherworldly skeleton twins standing under a full moon and starry sky. There’s a black cat on the roof, crows, and wild dogs off in the background.”

Meanwhile, Battery “depicts a cave full of funny little alien/cyborg characters celebrating that they’ve found more batteries. Some of them are broken up as a result of their battle with rabid cave dogs which the blue dragon is restraining in its hand.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Carving pumpkins & casting rotten spells on boys.

Follow Thaïs on Instagram to see more of her work.

18. Oliver Lawrence Rinne

Fourth-year Visual Arts student Oliver Lawrence Rinne says Jawbreaker is a “replication of my own jaws on 2D canvas with the ability to completely separate the upper and lower jaw through separating the two canvas boards from on another - breaking one’s jaw.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
One tradition I’ve had since I was a younger teen is spending the night before Samhain/Halloween is reading specifically with candlelight outside if the weather permits it as well as painting or drawing the evening view. Like many, on the actual day of Halloween I dress up and spend time with those I care about around me - both on campus and off!

Visit Oliver’s website and follow them on Instagram to see more of his work.

19. Mark Unterberger

“A deep-sea predator bursts from the depths in a riot of colour and motion,“ says second-year Master of Design student Mark Unterberger of When Water Dreamed of Teeth. “It’s baleful unblinking eye and gaping maw bristle with exaggerated, jagged teeth, are equal parts absurd and terrifying. The piece blends comic-book intensity with psychedelic tones, capturing the chaos and energy of an ocean monster.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Watching John Carpenter’s The Thing.

Visit Mark’s website and follow him on Instagram to see more of his work.

20. Jenna Weind

“Rubberbanding is an exploration of the transitional and fluctuating nature of identity,“ says third-year Visual Arts student Jenna Weind.

Meanwhile, her work Labyrinthine is “formed to mimic root systems and brain neural connections. Each angle of the piece offers a new set of 'eyes.' Much like the title the piece winds and weaves like a maze.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Watching lots of horror films!

Visit Jenna’s website and follow her on Instagram to see more of her work.

21. Aviv Wilson

Second-year Visual Arts student Aviv Wilson says Dance of the Nymphs is “an exploration of the life study and perhaps a personal revenge on a homophobic model.“

Meanwhile, IM///PERFECT is “a destruction of the beauty ‘standard’ and celebration of the weird, the ugly, and the terrifying.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
Costumes and the spookies!!

Follow Aviv on Instagram to see more of his work.

22. Kristy Zhou

“Every day I dream about my teeth and my fear of losing them is getting stronger and stronger,“ says third-year Visual Arts student Kristy Zhou of Fear. “The concept of the tooth-shaped book comes from my physical experience of having braces when I was a child. To this day, Ican still feel my anxiety and fear of my teeth falling or moving. Shaped in the star book form, this piece captures fragmented, unsettling images of mouths and dental x-rays, layered with hot glue and metal chains. It reflects the discomfort and safety that braces bring to me emotionally by turning cavity holes, metal braces, and fallen teeth into ripped paper, metal hoops, and paper mechanism.“

She says her work Dinner aims to “lead you to an uncanny, disturbing world that implies childhood trauma. The inedible objects are transformed into grotesque simulations of food, such as burritos wrapped in a baby onesie, elastic hair bands presented as cereals, and the baby head on the cutting board. The piece uses familiar, child-related items in unfamiliar and inappropriate contexts, forcing you to confront the distortion of childhood.”

What’s your favourite autumn tradition?
I don’t have one I scream when I see spooky decorations.

Follow Kristy on Instagram to see more of her work.