Inkblots Series

Synopsis

This contemporary photographic art series, titled Inkblots, is inspired by Rorschach’s inkblot tests and Franz Kline’s abstract expressionist painting technique. So let us take a closer look at these two revolutionaries in their respective fields.

About Rorschach’s Inkblots –

Hermann Rorschach was a Swiss psychiatrist in the early 1900s. He managed to create not only an enormously influential psychological test but also a visual and cultural touchstone. Initially, inkblots were used to measure the imagination, but Rorschach showed people inkblots to discover what they saw and how.

To read about Rorschach’s inkblot tests click here ☞ https://tinyurl.com/3nxeb74f

About Franz Kline –

If ever there was a painter who could have devoted an entire lifetime to mining the depths of the subconscious, it was Franz Kline. His personal struggles made him the ideal representative of the ideas about the subconscious and mystical revelation emerging within the abstract expressionist community in the 1940s. After meeting de Kooning and Pollock, he narrowed his artistic focus, exploring the nature of abstract brush strokes in large-scale action paintings that consisted of a simplified, black and white palette.

For further reading on Franz Kline and his action painting click here ☞ https://tinyurl.com/2p92bmwd

In Conclusion –

Based on these individual approaches attempting to understand the intricate workings of the human psyche, we can conclude that pictures are a tool for revealing the subconscious. They also encourage self-reflection and start a conversation about the internal world. The point is not to think of our response to them as simply right or wrong answers. Rather our reaction to them is what matters. Being asked “What do you see?” or “What might this be?”, gets at how we process the world on the most basic level – and calls upon our whole personality and range of experience.

I decided to make the prints one-off because they are unique, and I want the observer to embrace their viewpoint as exceptional.

The inception of the Inkblot series commenced in October 2021 and is still ongoing.

Showing 1–12 of 14 results

Be Afraid Not To Move

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: When we have some setbacks, it is important that we keep moving forward although challenging. The choice is the difference between growth and stagnation. Description: This figurative art piece was inspired by Franz Kline’s abstract expressionist style as well as Rorschach’s inkblots.  I named this contemporary artwork 'Be Afraid Not To Move' because it speaks to me of energy, and there is a lot of it in this piece. My question to us all is, what would our current movement project be if it could be measured? Would there be a dot, a dash, a leap, summersault, backward flip?  

Boxless Thinking

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: Neither trapped by the box (past) nor tethered to it. Tether points are like invisible strings that tie us to the past and keep us from functioning fully in the present or creating emotional space for new beginnings. Description: I named this One-Off digital artwork 'Boxless Thinking' because the Inkblots series is based on the idea of engaging with quantum emotions and thoughts. So rather than just going through the motions of daily life, you are free to be the co-creator of every moment.  

Break Through the Veil of Tears

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: The time has come for you to find freedom in joy. Meditate on this; Joy is your strength, the reason for sorrow is being taken away, and things are turning around. Description: This digital artwork was inspired by Franz Kline’s abstract expressionist style as well as Rorschach’s inkblots. While hiking in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, the catalyst for this modern art piece was born. I named this One-Off contemporary artwork "Break Through the Vale of Tears” because it speaks to me of reaching a place in life where our baggage has become too much to bear. At this point, we must be courageous and take a leap of faith, do whatever it takes, to reject this place of unhealthy familiarity and soar. And by choosing to move forward, the things that have weighed us down will begin to fall away.  

Conversations About Our Inner World

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: Sometimes it is necessary to be taken out of our comfort zone, and this may include storms and breakages, but the process is an important one because the growth, restoration, and victory obtained far outweigh the discomfort.   Description: I named this One-Off digital print ‘Conversations About Our Inner World’ because it is reminiscent of looking up at the sky and taking a journey with the clouds. Indeed, we cannot remain in that moment indefinitely. Life is waiting, and we need to move on and grow in our destiny but, this does not mean that we should not occasionally take time to look up at the sky and remind ourselves of how far we have come.

Hark Now Hear the Angels Sing

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: I am of the opinion that angels play a significant part in our daily lives because not only do they shield us, but they also ensure that we reach the fullness of our destiny and purpose. When you feel overwhelmed by life, keep in mind that help is never far away. Description: I was on a Woodstock Graffiti tour in Cape Town, with a group of fellow photographers, when I noticed the shadows of leaves dancing on the pavement. That was when the inspiration for this modern art piece was born. I named this One-Off artwork “Hark Now Hear the Angels Sing” because while editing, I noticed that angels were a recurring theme in every detail of this unique picture. And I do believe in angels.  

Hold Your Horses

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: Conscious breathing is an essential act of living because it forces us to slow down and take a deep breath. This holds several benefits for us, such as decreasing stress, increasing calm, relieving pain, stimulating the lymphatic system (Detoxifies the body), improving immunity, increasing energy, lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, and helps support correct posture. Description: I named this one-off digital artwork 'Hold Your Horses' because the idiom refers to slowing down and, the inkblot appears how I would imagine an overactive mind in the process of restoring calmness would look. Notice the cloudy and flakey parts dissolving away.

I Am What I See And You Are What You See

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: Not one person sees the world in exactly the same way. There are always differences of interpretation but does that necessarily make one person right and another wrong? Description: I named this one-off print ‘I Am What I See, and You Are What You See' because I asked many people what they saw in this image, and each one had a different reaction to the piece, so I decided that this would be the most appropriate title. My interpretation of this artwork is the effects of the Covid imposed isolation, and the inkblot figure seems to be running frantically away and toward it knows not what. Indicative of what we as a collective have experienced during this unprecedented atmosphere of uncertainty.

I Don’t Want to, Just Survive I Want to, Truly Live

R12,000.00R21,000.00
Statement: When we become aware that we do not have forever on earth, we ignite an inner motivation to use our time more mindfully, more intentionally. Making daily decisions about whether we choose to engage with life and truly live or allow fear to keep us in survival mode will impact how we live. Description: I named this one-off print ‘I Don’t Want to, Just Survive I Want to, Truly Live’ because it represents a pair of lungs and, as we know, lungs perform a vital task in providing oxygen to the body to live. The condition of the natural extinction to which all mortality is subject requires us to accept that this function will cease to exist for all of us someday. Carpe diem!

In The Presence Of Love

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: No one can escape the pangs of a broken heart. Instead, we construct a memorial to mark the loss. However, if we remain in love in our thoughts, hearts, and actions, despite the pain, all the abandoned parts of ourselves will come together. Description: During another load shedding outage in Cape Town, and with nothing else to do but sit in the dark on a Thursday night, I decided to go to the beach, camera in hand, to watch the Poi fire dancers Paint with fire. The electricity finally back on again, I headed home. I knew that what I had captured that night on the beach would form part of my Inkblot Series. I named this large-scale print ‘In the Presence of Love’ because, like a voyeur, I observed a couple in the poi dancers group from behind my camera lens, recollecting my past romantic relationships.

New Love

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: When you fall in love with yourself, you gain a deep appreciation of your worth and capabilities. Here is a great quote from Oscar Wilde on the subject of self-love; "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." Description: The abstract art piece was born on a weekend away to a little place called Baardskeerdersbos, direct translation meaning beard shearer's bush. Bordering the campsite was a plethora of fynbos, and while the sun was setting on the day, a sun’s ray touched one of the flowers, and I just had to capture that moment.

I named this one-off print ‘New Love’ because it is indicative of two parts of a whole person being held together by love while they discover their value, worth, and unique beauty. The transformation is complete when a magnificent butterfly emerges triumphantly from the ashes.

Paradox

R12,000.00R21,000.00
Statement: How we interpret and respond to the world around us makes up who we are and contributes to our quality of life.  The proverbial phrase glass half full or half empty is a litmus test we can use to check in with our thoughts and emotions. Description: During another load shedding outage in Cape Town, and with nothing else to do but sit in the dark on a Thursday night, I decided to go to the beach, camera in hand, to watch the Poi dancers paint with fire. Heading back home after an entertaining night, I knew that what I had captured would form part of my Inkblot Series. I named this original art print 'Paradox' because the abstract form in the artwork could represent either joy or terror. 

Return To Love

R15,000.00R27,000.00
Statement: Healing is part of our daily life and we can consciously participate in the process by expressing gratitude and mindfully focusing our awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting our feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.  A quote by Marianne Williamson sums it up quite aptly, "We are in each other’s lives to help us see where we most need healing and in order to help us heal.” Description: During another load shedding outage in Cape Town, and with nothing else to do but sit in the dark on a Thursday night, I decided to go to the beach, camera in hand, to watch Poi fire dancers Paint with fire. The electricity finally back on again, I headed home. I knew that what I had captured that night on the beach would be a modern art piece, perfectly suited for any ultra-modern interior. I named this One-Off contemporary art piece 'Return to Love' because it is reminiscent of an expressionist outline of two people leaning tenderly toward and honoring each other.