Jennifer Allan
Reflecting on the Paradox
Oil on Canvas, 113 x 70 cm
Although I began this painting before the official lockdown, the greater part was completed after it had begun - the isolation led to fewer interruptions and distractions which I have appreciated.
The ‘Paradox’ referred to in the title came about as a result of the way the work was made which was using four mirrors. The central body of the work is the reflection of a reflection, the edges of the canvas are straight reflection and the small head is reflection of a reflection of a reflection. In the process of starting to paint the edge of the canvas in the part that was representing the painting of the painting, I discovered there was nothing to paint except the support bar of the easel and I realised the image didn’t exist until I painted it and I couldn’t paint it until it existed - hence my Paradox.
Jennifer Allan