The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry by Mark Sheeky

G1094A The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry
Oil on canvas panel
Dec 2018 to Mar 2019, 380x280 mm

Detail from The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry by Mark Sheeky Detail from The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry by Mark Sheeky Detail from The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry by Mark Sheeky Detail from The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry by Mark Sheeky

About this painting
One of a series of self-portraits created to explore the idea of a common visual theme. I wanted to paint a portrait several times, from the same view, lighting, and angle, but experimenting with different painting styles and genres to see how this image can be pushed into different moods, and as technical and imaginative showcase; like the variations on a theme in music such as Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, or Elgar's Enigma Variations.

This is one of the most radically different in mood. I wanted to paint a geometrical abstract version of the portrait, a challenging genre as a showcase because the brushwork is simple. Composition is everything in geometrical abstraction, it is a genre all about subtle feelings evoked by non-worldly shapes and patterns.

Here, the red circle on the horizon is the sun, a god-like force, its lines shooting out like rays. One line cuts into the eye to create a sad effect, a mood emphasised by the tiny, eyebrow-like curl and black lines that bisect that eye. The triangular shapes move upwards and rightwards, a movement into distance, away, away, like something lost, untouchable, like climbing upwards into clean the air towards space, an effect reinforced by the light blue of the most distant triangle. There is more Christianity here too, in the black cross shape of nose and mouth.

The Enigma Variations V: God and Geometry (Original)
Price: £405.00
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