“Supernatural darkness”

Oil on canvas 

36x36in

91.4x91.4cm

The use of dark colors, particularly black and muted earth tones, creates an atmosphere of mystery and dread. This color choice gives a sense of foreboding, as though we are witnessing something beyond the mortal realm, perhaps a gateway to another dimension or an encounter with death.

The faceless or masked figures embedded within the black form in the center evoke an aura of anonymity, detachment, or lost identity. Masks often symbolize hidden truths, deception, or anonymity, suggesting that these figures may represent lost souls, hidden aspects of the self, or even death itself.

The larger, central mask-like face could represent a dominant force or guardian, perhaps symbolizing death or the unknown, as it looms larger than the others, drawing attention to itself.

The disembodied arm extending outwards with a small blue orb is intriguing. The orb’s color contrasts sharply with the rest of the painting, highlighting it as a point of significance. Blue can signify calmness, knowledge, or the soul, suggesting that this orb might represent an offering, the essence of life, or perhaps a gateway to knowledge or enlightenment.

The hand itself, without a visible body, might suggest an otherworldly presence or an unseen force guiding or controlling this interaction.

The row of skull-like forms along the bottom edge of the painting brings forth a reminder of mortality and the inevitable passage of time. These forms could represent the dead or the forgotten, grounding the image in a memento mori theme.

These figures might also symbolize the collective or a multitude of souls, adding to the painting’s overall message about life, death, or anonymity in the face of a greater cosmic or existential reality.

The rough textures and stone-like background create a cave or tomb-like environment, which reinforces the themes of darkness, mystery, and death. The brickwork at the top left could hint at the remnants of human civilization or the contrast between man-made structures and the timelessness of mortality.

This piece evokes themes of death, anonymity, and the unknown. The masks, the skulls, and the dark passageway might collectively suggest the journey of the soul after death, the anonymity of the human experience, or a reflection on the collective mortality we all face.

Alternatively, this could be a visual representation of suppressed aspects of the self (the masks and hidden figures) and the journey inward, where one might confront death, eternity, or hidden knowledge (the blue orb).

The painting invites the viewer to ponder the nature of existence, the passage of souls, or the presence of an omnipotent force overseeing life and death.

Overall, the painting is a haunting exploration of existential themes, leaving much open to interpretation, while clearly resonating with ideas of death, the unknown, and the hidden aspects of identity or reality. It invites contemplation on what lies beyond and the transient nature of life.