Soul Paint: Inspiring Self-Reflection with XR Technology

Soul Paint offers an immersive VR journey where 3D artistry meets personal reflection. Debuting at SXSW 2024, this unique project by Sarah Ticho and Niki Smit, with narration by Rosario Dawson, invites participants to delve into their emotions using cutting-edge technology. Imagine yourself as a 3D figure in a dreamlike realm, equipped to sketch across this virtual landscape and onto your digital form.

The creators blend body-mapping techniques with virtual reality, aiming to help users explore and understand their emotions. They envision it as a tool to cultivate empathy and foster social connections by allowing you to share the experiences you’ve explored with others.

I experienced Soul Paint firsthand for 20 minutes at the NewImages Festival 2025 through the XR Market. The journey kicks off with a powerful question: “Where are you feeling?” At first, it was a concept I struggled to grasp, but soon, the experience took on a spiritual quality. As you navigate this celestial space, it warmly invites you to express yourself physically.

What unfolds is a soothing and introspective process. While my VR drawings certainly aren’t masterpieces, they served their purpose in that moment. The experience allows you to draft over your virtual body and leave a voice note, which you can choose to share—a thoughtful way to convey emotions when words fall short.

Soul Paint acts as a reflective mirror within VR. Although its linear nature limits depth, it compensates with a strong sense of embodiment and player agency. It’s a novel medium for expressing ourselves, filled with meditative nuances. I truly hope this inspires similar creations in the future.

Currently, there’s no news on a home release for Soul Paint, but we’ll be sure to update if anything changes.