Artist’s Statement
The inspiration for Head or Heart? stems from the state of indecision experienced when one’s emotions and reason clash, leaving the person to choose between following their head or their heart. This abstract piece seeks to portray the opposing and tense relationship between one’s fleeting emotions and logical reason while exploring the possible outcome if the two entities worked together.
The left canvas is representative of the heart. Bright swirling colours of organic shapes were intentionally made to wisp in and out of each other, dynamic, like the nature of emotions. I approached this side with limited control, allowing the paint to flow on and off the canvas, to illustrate how emotions tend to be; they come and go, often without much warning, and they can become overwhelming and difficult to control intense circumstances. To contrast the left canvas and portray this tension, the right portrays the linear logic of the mind. Reason, though not always correct, is very logical and practical, and straightforward; the imperfect painted lines strive to communicate just that. The neutral colours used on this side also reflect the direct nature of cognitive thought.
Although the head and the heart can be in this opposing tension, they remain connected; they reside in the same body. As the piece comes together as one whole painting and the lines and colours traverse to the opposite canvas, they slowly swerve in and around each other, conforming to the essence of that side. The interaction of the lines and colours portrays a harmonious dialogue, between the head and the heart, questioning if a nuanced conclusion could be made that encompasses the strength and compelling natures of both the head and the heart. Perhaps the head and the heart can work together. Perhaps our decisions could be both desirable and reasonable.
Process
Final
