Surpassing Creation

The narrative features an artist with a Picasso-like visage who seeks beauty through his sculptures, despite his birth defect. A dedicated horticulturist works to enhance her orchards, resisting environmentalist pressures that threaten her craft. A postmodern scholar complicates their connection, believing that beauty is a myth and that Western prosperity is detrimental. The story is complemented by a critical essay exploring the concept of ugliness in relation to beauty, drawing on classic literary figures to challenge contemporary horror icons.