How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all? Part 5. 'Of Esoteric Appearance.'

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?

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all? Part 5. 'Of Esoteric Appearance.'

9/1/2025

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

How to talk about a painting without saying anything at all? Part 5. 'Of Esoteric Appearance.'

Esoteric: ideas, or a way of thinking that are obscure or complex. Abstruse, recherché, abstract, enigmatic, cryptic.
Appearance: the way that someone or something looks. Aspect, presence, demeaner, figure, mien.

I feel like I need to me extra careful with what I say here. At this point this possibly one of my favourite paintings in this series, and because of that there is something of a hankering to say more than I should. But I won't, I'll stick to my rationale of 'not leading the witness'.

What I will say is that I would really like for you, the observer, to really consider the choice of title and how that it may relate or even balance with what you may consider you see on the canvas. As usual I'd love to hear your thought and ideas.

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Apophenia:
An Uncanny Presence.
2022-