Transcendence: ‘an experience or existence beyond the physical level.’

​

My project was influenced by the way we use escapism to free ourselves from everyday life. Especially during lockdown due to Covid19 people have been exploring ways they can detach from reality. My projects concept is about transcending our own human limitations of how we think about each other and how we can love better.

​

I used Maltese Ganutell flowers which is a form of wire and thread wrapping used to adorn churches to reintroduce an arts and craft movement as a form of health and wellbeing as a contrast against the technological advancement we will experience in this half a century. Typically the ceilings of the churches these flowers appeared in had elaborate paintings of scenes in the bible. I started to paint my own images of people, looking up in despair and hope, towards ‘an experience beyond a physical level,’ which would transcend feelings of depression and anxiety.  The images are supposed to look like a simulation of a church ceiling, with angels and saints appearing to a  group of people representing my generation, with its new direction for change, all in the same situation, looking up in hope of an ‘experience beyond the physical’ as we move through lockdown.

​

The simulated element was also inspired by our need for escapism, and how virtual reality can positively be used as a form of mindfulness and health and wellbeing.  The digital rain is presented as vertical green writing inspired by The Matrix, reading ‘peace beyond chaos,’ ‘love beyond knowledge’ and ‘believe in something bigger than now.’ I hope that the simulated element of these images will allow us to question whether only virtual reality and artificial intelligence can be created to reflect this type of transcendence or whether we are capable of a deeper love and hope ourselves.