As Above, So Below

The painting As Above, So Below relates to my current research on transformation, underpinned by Jungian and psychoanalytical theory in the context of the metacrisis. I am exploring how creative practice and engagement with art facilitate the transformation of the Self in Jungian terms, known as individuation.

A psychoanalytical interpretation of this large painting (2.55m x 3m) suggests a convergence of energies or elements and the unification of different aspects of the Self or the culmination of various experiences. The vortex expresses chaos, movement, and the unpredictable nature of transformation.

The painting's title refers to a key principle of Hermeticism, which expresses the idea of harmony between different levels of reality. It suggests that the patterns and phenomena observed in the physical world (the microcosm) correspond to those in the spiritual or cosmic realms (the macrocosm) and vice versa.

The symbolism within the painting has complex, layered meanings. The vortex symbolises a descent into the unconscious, the unknown, and the psyche's deeper, more chaotic realms. The centre of the vortex represents the unknown; it also implies unity, interconnectedness, and the balancing of opposites. This can be viewed as the final stage of individuation, where one fully integrates and confronts one's deepest fears and unconscious elements, leading to enlightenment, spiritual awakening, or a higher state of consciousness relating to both the personal and collective psyche.

'The 'coniunctio' symbolises not only the union of opposites but also the synthesis of multiple psychic qualities into a unified whole.' (Jung and Jung, 1977).

The painting references religious and mythological Renaissance and Baroque works. Although influenced by Western culture, the images are archetypal. The depiction of winged creatures, in this instance, angels, symbolises transcendence. Winged creatures travel between the earth and the heavens. This concept of bridging worlds is mirrored in the extension of the picture plane, connecting the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional worlds, reinforcing the theme of transcendence. Images montaged into the vortex are from both the physical and spiritual worlds, suggesting a merging of the two.

The imagery in the painting and appropriation of historical artwork suggests the complex nature of time and the impact of historical events, specifically art history and its personal and collective impact, which correlate with the theme of transformation. Emotional and psychological associations with historical artwork relate to nostalgia and loss.

Vortices may be perceived as both destructive and creative, highlighting the dynamic and dualistic nature of the universe. A vortex's continuous, unending spiral symbolises the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. It reflects the idea of eternal recurrence and the ongoing flow of existence.

The balance between opposing forces, such as creation and destruction, order and chaos, represents the dynamic equilibrium of the cosmos and the interconnectedness of all things, drawing elements together into a unified whole.

The centre of the painting incorporates a copy of another work, Genesis: Evolution I (2023). This centre image includes a previous work created in 2019. This recursive and self-reflective process symbolises the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. This methodology is repeated in my practice; for example, the painting As Above, So Below is incorporated in the film Emergence along with the painting Lines of Flight. The film extends these themes and includes Deleuze and Guattari's concepts of deterritorialisation and reterritorialisation, interconnecting the paintings Lines of Flight and As Above, So Below.

In summary, the painting As Above, So Below expresses the process of individuation, the psychological integration of opposites within the individual psyche. This involves the conscious recognition and integration of the unconscious aspects of the Self, leading to the realisation of the Self, a central archetype representing the totality of the psyche.