A word that finally makes sense of the ‘abstract embellishment’ I aim to create in my paintings – ‘Phosphenes’
phos·phene (fŏs′fēn′)
n.
A sensation of light caused by excitation of the retina by mechanical or electrical means rather than by light, as when the eyeballs are pressed through closed lids.
[French phosphène : Greek phōs, light; see phos- + Greek phainein, to cause to appear, to show; see bhā-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The sensation when you rub your eyes and see colours and lights actually has a name. I remember doing this as a child and seeing a kalaidoscoptic range that didn’t actually exist, there was no presence of light, it is in fact a bit of a phenomena.
On learning this word it made sense of my colourful detailing that I throw into my paintings, which before was described as abstraction. I felt there was more of an elegant and rich description for the marks I aim to make in my work . It was less about creating abstraction and more about ’embellishing;’ a word I use a lot when describing my work.
I love this word… My work is symptomatic of lights and colours that don’t exist in actuality of a realistic scene, only in this phenomena, we all know they do, even without the presence of reason. In a way it reminds me of the colour spectrum you see in bubbles. A bubble is just a thin vail of water only there is so much more in it when light shines on it.
This solidifies that my work holds a kind of otherworldly truth, not just throwing pretty colours around. (Or so I will continue telling myself as I continue to throw pretty colours around.)
My interpretation of phosphenes will be most exaggerated and amplified in my latest Adam and Eve pieces of the Garden of Eden.
Katy x
KATY JADE DOBSON 