Description
fall electricage 1991, 1991
Acrylic on canvas
Signed BC (what’s the reason for this?)
46 x 32 in. (image)
65 x 42.5 (frame)
original, includes certificate of authenticity from ArtTrust
The painting “Electricage” features a sunflower prominently placed in an oval frame, with the plant’s vivid yellow flower head nearly filling the composition. The sunflower’s green leaves, in various states of health, extend outward, while some leaves show signs of decay or aging, suggesting a passage of time or a seasonal transition. The lower part of the plant appears darker and more wilted, contrasting with the vibrant head. The word “Electricage” is emblazoned beneath the image, along with the year “1991,” giving the impression of a symbolic representation or reflection on change over time.
In Zen, the cycle of life is often portrayed as an unbroken flow, where growth, decay, and rebirth are all interconnected aspects of existence. The sunflower here could be seen as embodying this flow, with its bright head representing the beauty of life, while the darker, withered leaves signify the inevitable decay that accompanies it. The juxtaposition of vitality and decline invites a contemplation of impermanence, a central tenet in Zen teachings. The painting might encourage one to find harmony in accepting all stages of life as parts of the same journey.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes, offers insights through its hexagrams, which relate to natural cycles and states of being. This painting may resonate with Hexagram 52 (Gen), Mountain, which represents stillness and meditation. Just as the sunflower stands still, allowing the viewer to reflect on the nature of time and life’s transformations, Hexagram 52 encourages inward contemplation. The sunflower’s transformation could also relate to Hexagram 23 (Bo), Splitting Apart, symbolizing decay and the eventual rebuilding or re-growth after deterioration.
By merging the Zen perspective of impermanence with the I Ching’s reflections on transformation and stillness, the painting becomes a meditation on the nature of change. The sunflower, with its aging leaves and enduring head, is not only a botanical subject but also a metaphor for resilience amidst decay. It challenges the viewer to see the beauty in every phase of life, encouraging a balance between growth and surrender, embracing the natural cycles rather than resisting them.
Sunflowers have a long-standing presence in art history, often symbolizing positivity, warmth, and life. Famous works by Vincent van Gogh made the sunflower a celebrated subject in Western art, representing joy, creativity, and vitality. In “Electricage,” however, the sunflower diverges from this conventional portrayal. The artist introduces elements of decay and age, potentially influenced by the modern and postmodern movements that seek to depict not just the ideal but also the real and imperfect. The inclusion of text and symbolism adds a contemporary twist, bridging traditional still life with conceptual art, thus engaging viewers in an introspective dialogue on nature’s cycles and humanity’s perception of time.
This piece’s combination of symbolism, natural subject matter, and textual elements places it within a lineage of modern works that blend representational art with deeper philosophical reflections.
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“fall electricage 1991” was featured in his Yes Retrospective
Reproductions of this drawing are available in multiple sizes!
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This artwork is available with a non-fungible token to ensure traceability and transparency of provenance.
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