Artist's stunning walk-in optical illusion becomes TikTok sensation

An optical illusion painting
(Image credit: David Hollowell)

We've seen some incredible optical illusions here at Creative Bloq, but this one is on another scale. David Hollowell, a seventy-one-year-old artist and former University of California art professor, suffered a devastating brain injury two years ago, when he fell off a roof. He now suffers aphasia, preventing him from being able to speak or write, but he can still paint.

He's been dedicating his time to finishing the transformation of the family's barn into an enormous immersive 3D optical illusion. His daughter, Adrienne, who works in design and marketing, has been recording the process on TikTok (see our pick of the best optical illusions for more mind benders).

@david.hollowell

♬ ART - Jack Madden
@david.hollowell

♬ Agape - Nicholas Britell

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Joseph Foley

Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news and features, updates buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment for creatives, from monitors to accessories and office supplies. A writer and translator, he also works as a project manager at London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives, where he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing photography, video content, graphic design and collaterals for the hospitality sector. He enjoys photography, particularly nature photography, wellness and he dances Argentine tango.