I am currently researching the theme of interconnectedness and entanglement, and what Science, Neuroscience, Cosmology, Ecology and Philosophy has to say about it, and one common thread that I have stumbled upon is what Morton, T (2010) would describe as ‘The Mesh’.
Whilst researching proof of interconnectedness, I could not help but notice the uncanny visual similarity between the brain’s neural networks, underground mycelium networks found beneath forests, and what Scientists refer to as the Cosmic Web found in space. Depictions of how data networks share information across the globe also carry a haunting resemblance.
So inspired by these repeating patterns in nature, I wanted to experiment with ways to depict these patterns.
Inspired by this web, this interconnectedness, and these patterns within patterns, I have started working on a new oil painting with a working title of ‘The Network’ (Size 61cm x 76cm):
I have indulged myself once again in a state of not-knowing. I initially started with the colourful background, not knowing what I wanted to do with this canvas other than that I am drawn to gentle pastel colours at the moment. Then I decided to doodle-draw my version of synaptic connections in the brain. Once I ran out of one colour, I simply mixed another, not being too mindful of even colour-matching.
I suspect that this will be a multi-layered painting, but am not paying too much mind to making plans for it, and am wholly unattached to the final outcome, since this one is more about the process of ruminating on all this research, than it is about the final outcome of the artwork.
Debbie New 