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"THE
GHOST SERIES"
This series
of paintings were executed in the year 2,000. As the
title indicates the method employed to produce them
created a ghost like appearance in the finished work. The
subjects of the paintings are figures, which have had an
influential effect on the consciousness of the present
day viewer. The concept underpinning the work is, that
the perceived reality of our world is derived from the
dreams and aspirations of past luminaries. The rationale
behind such a group of paintings is to illustrate, that
individual contributions of past personalities are
essential to the collective nature of the group
consciousness of the present. It is my intention that the
Ghost Series will act as a catalyst allowing the viewer a
mental space in which to meditate upon the transient
quality of human endeavor.
Painting as an aid for
Meditation
The
practice of using an object as a catalyst to allow one's
mind to enter a meditative state is well documented.
Nostradamus was known to have used a silver bowl of
water, which reflected candlelight. Buddhist priests
recommend sitting by a still pond and meditating upon its
surface. A similar technique is employed by aficionados
of the Black Arts when utilizing a scryning glass (a
mirror inscribed with magical symbols)
The
method employed in all the above is similar. In the case
of the scryning glass the practitioner focuses for a
moment on the symbols engraved on the surface of the
glass, then on the reflection it casts on the silvered
surface beneath the glass. By repeatedly doing so a
trance is entered providing an ideal mental state for
meditation. The Ghost paintings act in a similar way by
providing just enough information for the brain to
comprehend the portrayed figure but not enough
information for it to be held in the mind without
concentration. The result is that the brain repeatedly
sees the image then loses it and a trance like state is
induced.
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