There is a great beauty in observation, in seeing things as they are, psychologically, inwardly; which does not mean that one accepts things as they are; which does not mean that one rejects or wants to do something about ‘what is’, the very perception of ‘what is’ brings about its own mutation. But one must know the art of ‘looking’ and the art of ‘looking’ is never the introspective art, or the analytical art, but just observing without any choice.  J. Krishnamurti

It is this ideology that is at the conceptual core of Spectre - a recent series of paintings by emerging artist Abbra Kotlarczyk.

Through the simultaneous veiling and unveiling of the human physical form, a similar kind of observation is inherent to these works and a unique process of mutation takes form. The nature of these figures; often distorting, fragmenting and peeling away the layers of the human’s external matter, implies a removal from and transgression beyond the mere physical.

The transition from black and white to colour imagery signifies an evolution, a ‘colouration’ of experience pertaining to this series of work and the artist’s practice in general. Through masking parts of these figures with pure white paint, the individual forms are able to absorb and take on various hues and shades indicative of the spectrum of human emotion and experience. Furthermore the artist is reaffirming the apparent temptations for individuals’ to assume external skins in favour of living in and being observant of their own.

The illuminated figures are positioned against a dark and mysterious background, creating the illusion that they are jumping or emerging forward. Whether moving in or out of this void these forms are essentially prompting the viewer to consider the light that may exist shrouded in darkness and to look beyond surface experience. In this sense we may be confronted with the supposed ‘dark side’ of human existence and hence the spectre of ourselves. It is within the transitional space between life and death, physical and psychological, conscious and unconscious that this work is concerned and the audience bear witness to the ‘colouration’ of this experience.

94 WILSON STREET, NEWTOWN  NSW  2042 AUSTRALIA PH: + 61 2 9550 1580  M: 0413 555970  email:  info@newtownfineart.com.au Director:  Liz Buchmann