Description
For many years I have been trying to paint things that I can’t see. In this image I wanted to suggest the presence of one of the most mysterious forces in the universe: gravity. Starting from a sketch I made of the piano of the Finnish artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931), the rest of the painting developed over many months. The candles, forest, Icelandic volcanoes, shoes and snow appeared in dreams. What it all means, I don’t know, but I’m happy with the result, except for the title. Perhaps it should be called the Gods of Anti-Gravity. (This image is also available as a digital print.)
After many years of painting landscapes and city scenes, curiosity drew me towards the vivid images of my dreams. I was aware of the works of Joan Miró, Max Ernst, Dalí and Paul Delveaux, but only gradually realized that the images that arose in my own sleep were just as worthy of being painted as the scenes I observed during my waking hours. They are formidable challenges to paint, and if I were confined to painting either the waking or sleeping aspects of life, I would paint dreams.
