Description
mid summer’s night dream, 1979
Lithograph bon a tierer Little Egypt Enterprises
Signed
14 x 18 in. (image)
26.25 x 32.5 x 2 in. (frame)
original, includes certificate of authenticity from ArtTrust
The lithograph “Mid Summers Night Dream” presents an abstract scene with dark, textured ink and pastel shading. The central form appears to create a billowing shape, perhaps reminiscent of fabric, smoke, or water. The composition feels dynamic and chaotic, suggesting a sense of movement and depth. The lower edge of the artwork has a rough, irregular border that almost appears burnt or torn, enhancing the sense of organic flow. The text along the bottom, the piece’s title, seems partially obscured or damaged, contributing to an atmosphere of mystery or the passage of time. A small child anchors the scene.
From a Zen perspective, the piece invites contemplation of the concept of emptiness (Shunyata), central to Buddhist teachings. The formless and dynamic quality of the image can symbolize the transient nature of reality, where everything is constantly changing and nothing remains fixed. The rough edges and flowing shapes evoke a sense of impermanence, mirroring how life unfolds unpredictably. The obscured text suggests the limits of conceptual understanding, reminding the viewer that some truths lie beyond words.
In the context of the I Ching, the artwork might resonate with Hexagram 29, K’an (The Abysmal). This hexagram represents the experience of danger and depth, often symbolized by water or an abyss. It advises perseverance through challenging times and encourages the acceptance of uncertainty. The rough, swirling elements in the image could represent tumultuous forces or emotional struggles, while the need to navigate through them speaks to resilience and maintaining one’s course despite hardship.
Combining these perspectives, the artwork can be interpreted as a meditation on navigating life’s uncertainties. The piece’s chaotic energy reflects the unpredictable nature of existence, while the Zen concept of emptiness aligns with the I Ching’s message of enduring challenges by embracing change. The incomplete or fragmented text serves as a reminder that understanding is not always achieved through logical explanations but can be found in the acceptance of ambiguity.
The artwork’s style appears to draw on the traditions of surrealism and abstract expressionism. The organic textures and gestural lines evoke artists such as Jean Dubuffet or Antoni Tàpies, who explored raw materials and irregular forms to convey existential themes. The irregularity of the paper’s edge and the textured approach also recall Art Informel, a movement where artists focused on the materiality of their works as a rejection of traditional aesthetics and cultural norms.
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Note from Camblin: 4 Dave Camblin Thanks Amigo
“mid summer’s night dream” was featured in his Yes Retrospective and in Sandra Jensen Rowland’s monograph, Bob Bilyeu Camblin – An Iconoclast in Houston’s Emerging Art Scene.
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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