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The Inhabited Pause

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  The Inhabited Pause "Waiting is not merely the passage of time; it is an active, often uncomfortable internal labour." In Waiting Room Portrait, I explore the profound tension of maintaining one’s presence within the "in-between." Drawing inspiration from the quiet, heavy resignation in Honoré Daumier’s waiting rooms, this digital watercolour seeks to transform the modern waiting experience from a static period of boredom into a vivid, spiritual practice. The central figure is an anchor of introspection amidst a whirling, chaotic background of light and colour. By utilising thick, expressive brushstrokes, I’ve constructed a pose—hand to chin, face obscured—that captures the weight of self-reflection. While the figure remains grounded on a dark, solid base, the palette of searing magentas and electric purples suggests an internal landscape that is anything but silent. These "loud" colours represent the heat and tension of a mind that is fully engaged with...

The Unseen Shadows

 


In The Unseen Shadows, the viewer is presented with a thought-provoking exploration of the psychological inter-relationship of creativity. This artwork delves into the role of subconscious emotional traits as a catalyst for malevolent creativity, shedding light on the unseen shadows that can influence our positioning to enact creativity. 

The portrait that emerges from this is both compelling and paradoxical. On the one hand, creativity is often celebrated for its positive impact, but on the other hand, it can also be shrouded in malevolent shadows. The artwork seeks to correlate the inferences between powerful and regressive symbols of harmful creativity with cognitive and motivational facets of the grip fueled by creativity's darker side. The intricate dance of shadows draws on Plato's cave allegory, with oppression acting as a distorted puppeteer that can cast a veil of gloom over our cognitive impulses. 

The emotional aspects can cast a unique shadow by continually adding layers of complexity. Although the intention offers insights, they are layered with limitations. Like Plato's chained prisoners, our view of reality can be obscured, and self-reported measures can lead to potential self-restrictions. The complexity of the artwork's surface emphasises the possible inclusion of other puppeteers, their personality traits and imposed environmental factors. At its core, The Unseen Shadows postulates a cyclical relationship that fosters imposition and malevolent creativity, and how each exacerbates the other into a perpetual dance of semi-transparent shadows. 

This work aligns with and extends the broader collection of my previous psychological portraits, emphasising the transformative influence of even the subtlest strokes of containing human behaviour. Overall, The Unseen Shadows is a sobering reminder that strategic hooks can profoundly impact our creative impulses, casting a gloomy veil over others and restricting our ability to see the world outside of our fabricated cave. Breaking free from this cycle of shadows is crucial to unlocking the full potential of our creativity and leading fulfilling lives.


The Unseen Shadows video











John Bennett - AKA JJFBbennett is an independent artist. You can subscribe to JJFB's work via Blogger, YouTube, Flicker, Facebook, Instagram and Deviant Art

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Copyright

This artwork is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Distribution and/or modification of the artwork without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

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