# Suffocating Sketches The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' Series is Asphyxiating By Amelia Roblin | Published 2010-09-23 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/melissa-cooke-vacuum References: [theworldsbestever](http://theworldsbestever.com/2010/09/21/melissa-cooke/) & [melissacookeart](http://melissacookeart.com/vacuum.html) The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series depicts exactly what parents and teachers have always warned not to do: putting your head inside a plastic bag. This shocking collection of [large-scale graphite sketches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawing-series) invokes terror in the viewer, instilled by that childhood fear of suffocating. With clear bags tied tightly at the subjects' throats, it is surprising to see the differences in [facial expressions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/johannes-vermeer-1). While some in the Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series are clearly panicked, some look eerily serene. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Plastic Ban:** The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series highlights the consequences of using plastics. - **Mental Health Awareness:** The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series creates conversations about childhood fears and anxieties. - **Sustainability:** The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series shows the need to reduce waste and prioritize eco-friendly materials. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Environmental Advocacy:** The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series could be used as a powerful tool for environmental advocacy groups focused on reducing plastic pollution. - **Art Therapy:** The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series could be used in art therapy sessions to help individuals express and confront their fears and anxieties. - **Sustainable Fashion:** The Melissa Cooke 'Vacuum' series could inspire sustainable fashion designers to use eco-friendly materials and promote conscious consumption. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Playful Balloon Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keff-joons.md) - [Raunchy Anime-Inspired Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manuela-soto-sosa.md) - [Human Embraced-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wallmounted-sculpture.md) - [Mesmerizing Sculpture Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mesmerizing-sculpture.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md) - [Surreal Love-Themed Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joakim-ojanen.md) - [Human Torso-Inspired Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lene-bdker.md) - [Realistic Sketch-Reflective Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawing-series.md)