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Sarah Oates

Level 0 - The Lobby

Polaroid
2024


The fluorescent lighting of level 0 hums at a constant frequency.

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Level 54 - The Stairwell of Spirals

Polaroid
2024

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When one enters level 54 they will find themselves in a large, circular region with stairs in the middle that branch off into an endless stairwell.

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Level 913 - The Rail Yard

Polaroid
2024

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The tracks appear to be made from carbon steel, corresponding with those found on Earth, however this metal never rusts.​

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Entity 51 - Cinus Infantes

Polaroid
2024

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Entities resembling a human baby, made entirely of ash and dust, have been seen gathering in groups to feast upon other deceased entities or wanderers.​

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Level 201 - The Barren Forest

Polaroid
2024

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Level 201 encompasses a dense enigmatic forest accompanied by a large lifeless landscape.​

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A Little Bit About The Artist

Do you think you would survive the backrooms and why/why not?

If my images are any proof, I’ve already survived—though survival in the Backrooms is a relative term. The Polaroids are fragments of my journey, glimpses of the levels and entities I encountered. Each shot captures a moment where I had to adapt, hide, or run, always one step ahead of becoming part of the endless maze. Whether I truly escaped or I’m just documenting my time there… well, that’s for you to decide. For now, I’m here to share what I’ve seen.

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What’s your favourite scary movie?

I find it hard to pick just one, but when asked I usually answer David Cronenberg's remake of The Fly. I remember my parents watching this movie one night whilst I was a child on a caravan holiday, they had no way of knowing I could see the TV reflected in the caravan window from the nook where I was sleeping in the kitchen. Watching Geena Davis give birth to a giant Larva ignited my love for body horror and is also potentially the reason why I have never found myself with the desire to have children.....

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What’s the biggest influence on your work?

My photography explores themes of identity, memory, and introspection. I’m drawn to vintage aesthetics and techniques like Polaroid and cyanotype, which bring a sense of nostalgia to my work. Through blurred self-portraits and abstract details, I aim to capture fleeting moments and emotions, creating images that feel personal yet open to interpretation.

For More On This Artist

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