All Categories - antony clarkson

Apophenia:
An Uncanny Presence.
2022-

Whilst exploring painted spaces via my Personal Topographies series I was constantly aware that the next development in this painted process would be the introduction of abstract presences. Although I have been using the word presence to denote the manifestations in my work, I am now wondering if it is perhaps the best word to use. If the presence in question is always, pseudo human should I be considering the idea of anthropomorphism instead? Or perhaps in more global terms pareidolia? Or more properly apophenia?

Of Knowledgeless Formation.

4/3/2026

Of Knowledgeless Formation. Oil on canvas. 40 x 30 inches (102 x 76 cms).

Knowledgless: devoid of knowledge, ignorant, or lacking understanding. Uniformed, unknowing, uneducated or clueless.

Formation: the act of creating, developing, or arranging something. Structuture, arrangemeny, creation, or configuration.

The titling of this piece marks what I anticipate to be the culmination of one of my final revisions, at least for the present. While there remain a small number of other paintings under consideration for further reworking, my current focus is directed toward the development of several new works.

Of Feign Demeanor.

3/26/2026

Of Feign Demeanor. Oil on canvas. 40 x 30 inches (102 x 76 cms).

Feign: to pretend, simulate, or give a false appearance of a feeling, state, or emotion. Pretend, simulate, fake, sham, or dissemble.

Demenor: the outward behavior, manner or bearing which reflects character or feelings. Bearing, deportment, manner, mien, compprtment or air.

The recurring formal elements within these works have assumed increasing significance within the evolving visual language of the series, prompting a more deliberate and systematic consideration of their compositional function. This painting represents the first large-scale work to be realised with a sustained focus on exploring the range of possibilities inherent in the placement and spatial relationships of these formal “motifs” within a single composition.

Of Interior Diversity.

3/19/2026

Of Interior Diversity. Oil on plywood panel. 7 x 5 inches (178 x 122 mms).

Interior: Situation within or inside, relating to the inside. Inside, Inner, Depths, Recesses, Nucleus, Core.
Diversity:The quality or condition of having or being coposed of differing elements. Different, Disparate, Divergent, and Various.

'The Apophenia Series' has provided an expanding repertoire of abstract motifs that I regularly incorporate into these works. Over time, these recurring formal elements have become increasingly significant within the visual language of the series, prompting a more deliberate consideration of how they function compositionally. In particular, I have recently begun to explore a variety of possibilities regarding the placement and spatial relationships of these formal “motifs” within individual compositions...

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 20. 'Of Orphic Personation'.

2/20/2026

'OfOrphic Personation'.
Oil on canvas, 37 x 2.5 inches (94 x 70 cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 20. 'Of Orphic Personation'.

Orphic: having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding. Mysterious, mystic, mystical, occult, secret, esoteric.

Personation: the act of falsely assuming the identity, character, or appearance of another person.
Impersonation, portrayal, enactment, characterization.

The final element of the triptych is completed through the act of naming. As may be observed, the titles of the three paintings share a deliberate structural and thematic continuity. In each case, the second term, following the recurring preposition “Of” (“Delphic,” “Sibylline,” and “Orphic”), draws upon traditions of ancient Greek mysticism, prophecy, and divine revelation. These terms reference interconnected strands within the study of ancient Greek religion, particularly its oracular practices and esoteric belief systems, all of which engage with the notion of concealed or sacred knowledge.

The concluding term of each title, ("Persona,” “Personification,” and “Personation”), derives from the Latin persona, meaning mask. These closely related concepts concern the articulation or embodiment of identity, whether through the attribution of human qualities to abstract ideas or through the assumption of roles and performed selves. Collectively, they evoke a productive ambiguity between authenticity and artifice, subject and representation.

Taken together, the titles establish a conceptual dialogue between Greek traditions of hidden revelation and Latin-inflected notions of performed identity. While they share common etymological and philosophical ground, each introduces a subtle variation in emphasis, reinforcing both the unity and the internal differentiation of the triptych.

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 19. 'Of Unspecified Constitution'.

2/12/2026

'Of Unspecified Constitution.
Oil on canvas, 27.5 x 20.5 inches (70 x 52cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 19. 'Of Unspecified Constitution'.

Unspecified: Not explicitly stated; not mentioned; not detailed. Vague, anonymous, unmentioned, undetermined, unidentified, uncertain.

Constitution: The composition of something. Composititon, make-up, structure, organisation, construction.

Various people have already shared feedback on this piece, as I’ve been posting photos of it as a work in progress. It has been both fascinating and genuinely helpful to see how differently people interpret what they see in my work. Often, the motifs are linked to three-dimensional forms. In this case, however, many observers feel the piece is more reminiscent of text or calligraphy. I find that shift in perception particularly interesting.
As usual, there was no specific intention on my part to suggest anything distinctly two- or three-dimensional. The forms evolved organically, without a predetermined narrative or reference. If you have any thoughts about what you see here, please don’t hesitate to share them with me. I truly value the dialogue and the different perspectives you bring.

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 18. 'Of Sibllyne Personification'.

2/2/2026

'Of Sibylline Personification'.
Oil on canvas, 37 x 2.5 inches (94 x 70 cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part18. 'Of Sibylline Personification.'

Sibylline: relating to or characteristic of a sibyl; prophetic and mysterious. Mysterious, esoteric, cryptic, impenetrable.

Personification: the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form. Manifestation, image, avatar, essence, embodiment.

This is the second piece is part of a triptych that I have been working on for some time. Second? First? Third? There is no definate order to the pieces of this triptych. They all relate but they are also all their own thing.

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 17. 'Of Enigmatic Essence'.

1/26/2026

'Of Enigmatic Essence'.
Oil on canvas, 27.5 x 20.5 inches (70 x 52cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part 17. 'Of Enigmatic Essence'.

Enigmatic: a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. Mystery, puzzle, riddle, conundrum, paradox.

Essence: a property or group of properties of something without which it would not exist or be what it is. Core, soul, spirit, ethos, nature.

This has been a very interesting painting for me. Throughout it's creation I have felt it's presence very strongly. Without it being anything specific it really has become something to me. I will actually miss it's presence on my easel, day by day I have looked forward to working on this piece.

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part16. 'Of Arcane Semblance'.

1/20/2026

'Of Arcane Semblance'.
Oil on canvas, 37 x 27.5 inches (94 x 70 cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part16. 'Of Arcane Semblance'.

Arcane: understood by few; mysterious or secret. Esoteric, abstruse, recherché, inscrutable, cryptic.

Semblance: the outward appearance or apparent form of something. Appearance, guise, pretense, facade. veneer.

This has been an interesting painting to work on. I was so fascinated by how one of my previous paintings, 'Of Esoteric Appearance', functioned that I wanted to experiment with another similar work. There have been times when I wasn't sure that it would 'work', but in the end I'm very pleased with the outcome. Please follow the link to compare the two paintings:
https://www.antonyclarkson.com/apophenia-an-uncanny-presence-2022/how-to-talk-about-a-painting-without-saying-anything-at-all-part-5-of-esoteric-appearance

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part15. 'Of Delphic Persona'.

1/13/2026

'Of Delphic Persona'.
Oil on canvas, 37 x 27.5 inches (94 x 70 cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part15. 'Of Delphic Persona.'

Delphic: relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi. Typically, deliberately obscure or ambiguous. Ambiguous, cryptic, mystic, obscure.

Persona: the outer or assumed aspect of character. A role or character adopted by an author, actor, etc. Character, personality, image, facade, guise.

This piece is part of a triptych that I have been working on for some time. Although I say triptych, the relationships between the 3 paintings work in different ways. All can be thought of as individual paintings, but also as a part of a whole. Their order when exhibited together is also variable, denying any, one painting a greater significance in any perceived hierarchy. These variables have resulted in some challenges regarding the completion of the work. There has always felt like more, or sometimes less was needed to find a balance. But now I'm definitely there with this piece and not far off with the other two.

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part14. 'Of Implausible Objecthood'.

12/16/2025

'Of Implausible Objecthood'.
Oil on canvas, 37 x 27.5 inches (94 x 70cms).

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all Part14. 'Of Implausible Objecthood.'

Implausible: not seeming reasonable or probable; failing to convince. Unlikely, improbable, far-fetched. questionable.

Objecthood: the state or quality of being a physical object, emphasizing its presence, Materiality, substancehood, thingness.

Objecthood, now there is an art word if ever there was one. Although not technically coined by him the word/idea gained traction within art theory via Michael Fried's 1967 essay "Art and Objecthood," It is a word that has 'surrounded' a number of my sculptures and installations and now I find it a very appropriate way to consider this series of paintings. I'm not going into more detail at present, (why would I?) but I think I may well be returning to this notion in the near future.