Brussels Drawing Week – Amy Hilton, Solo Show

In-between

23/10/2019 — 09/11/2019
 
 
 
 
 

The Tower : standing vertically, in physical and spiritual ascension from earth to sky; as a symbol that links the two, between what is visible and invisible. This tower could not serve as a better metaphor to represent my ongoing research and artistic practice: where often ideas of sublimation and crystallization are accomplished in “uno actu”, in one single act. There is no sublimation without a deposit, and conversely there is no crystallization without a light vapor emanating from matter, without a spirit running along above earth. The “uno actu” of the existing tower at La Tour à Plomb and the intervention of the works to be exhibited allow us get in between thoughts and feelings towards uncovering certain fundamental truths. For me: to better understand that something within us rises up when some action penetrates deeper – and that also something penetrates deeper when something else rises up. As above so below; as without so within. We are the link between nature and the gods; we are the strongest link between earth and air. Such an expression is explored within my work exhibited here – where earth-air- water-fire-ether, are indissolubly linked. And it is this bond that allows for the sky’s mystical colours and forms, light and dark, to be transposed through the use of dry pastels, and for watercolours to flood across transparent paper in sedimentary, spiritual patterns. The terrestrial and aerial spirits that emit from the work serve to both heighten and deepen contemplation; to lock the viewer in a sort of meditation if only for a short time. Through ascensions in colour; golden glows and violet mists, through drawing invisible lines of connection, I hope to be able to stimulate an oneiric sensations to go beyond and in-between what on the surface may not immediately seem visible to the eye. In an attempt to “spiritualize” sheets of paper, a certain aura or glow appears, spreading feelings and energies that diffuse from the confines where it seems at first glance to be located. What is visible is not only a familiar outer light, but also a familiar inner light, born from the very center of my innerself. This universal light engulfs and blurs. Little by little; it makes contours lose their sharp lines. It obliterates the picturesque in favor of the radiant. This should give a feeling of serene unity to the contemplative person. In this light, in these heights, with this consciousness of an aerial being, the physics of serenity can exist.

Following the discovery of a broken piece of stone in two separate parts six years ago, the notion of the ‘whole’ and the ‘parts’ has remained of profound and prime interrogation throughout my practice. The whole is indeed the sum of its parts, truly unique and always connected. The symbol of the one stone in two parts led to a deep ontological study, spanning philosophies of Eastern mysticism, Theosophical teachings and views on modern science, auras and energies and healing powers contained within inorganic matter. Observations on that very fracture, on that very space in-between the two parts and what is found in that space has become a significant interest. Working closely with fragments of marble in the last three years, I discovered a Neo-Confuscian concept: the li. And from this simple discovery arose the findings of one of the most powerful concepts in mankind’s attempt to understand the world around us:

“The li is the ever-moving, ever-present set of patterns that flow through and in-between everything in nature and in all our perceptions of the world including our own consciousness.”

To everything that happens in-between.

 

Tour à Plomb, Brussels (BE) in the framework of Brussels Drawing Week curated by Stephane Roy

 

Link to the catalogue


Associated artworks