Transfiguration
The interpretation of any work of art, i.e., "what it means," must always be left to the individual who views, listens to, reads, or otherwise experiences it. In a sense, it is the sum, or sharing, of these individual experiences which approaches the "true meaning" of the work. Still the artist creates within a tradition and with an intent, hoping to make an expressive and meaningful statement. Being aware of that tradition and the intent of the artist can sometimes enrich an individual’s understanding and appreciation of the work of art; in this light, the following remarks are offered.
Though my painting "Transfiguration" grew out of a specific event, I feel it has many levels of meaning which touch our shared human experience. It is basically a painting of hope and faith. The specific event in question is the pain and horror of my wife’s cancer and the hope of a joyful conclusion, whether it be in the beauty of bodily healing or the painless union with God. In any event, I saw it as a transfiguration through human suffering and understanding.The language of the painting is through abstract form and symbol. The painting, as conceived, is a narrative to be "read" from left to right. At the lower left of the painting, we see an abstract form entering through a jagged vertical blood red shape. The form represents a life; the shape it goes through and experiences represents pain expressed in its sharp, saw-cutting demeanor – not what one might consider a comfortable shape. After going through this experience, the surgeon’s knife perhaps, our life form is seen progressing through various transformations, squeezed, stretched, etc., symbolizing stress and healing. In the center of the painting, our life form reaches a separation into three stable like forms – perhaps the realization that we are more than one – possibly the Trinity itself. Our form is subsequently changed to a light green and proceeds, "guided" by sun colored elements into and through the dark environment, it has avoided until now, to finally empty itself into an infinite green space – curiously, the same green it had become after its "enlightenment." Our form, which endured the rigors of a physical life has been replaced by a many colored flower shape – stable, complete, and confident; indeed, a "death and transfiguration."
Again, let me stress that this is but one interpretation out of many – such as the pain, death, and resurrection of Christ or a personal experience of pain and understanding. It is my hope that others will see more, different, or deeper meanings. It was simply my intent to express the best I could, given my "all too human" limitations, the power and the poetry of our human faith and spirit regardless of our individual religious beliefs.
Douglas Peden 1998 Essex, NY
Though my painting "Transfiguration" grew out of a specific event, I feel it has many levels of meaning which touch our shared human experience. It is basically a painting of hope and faith. The specific event in question is the pain and horror of my wife’s cancer and the hope of a joyful conclusion, whether it be in the beauty of bodily healing or the painless union with God. In any event, I saw it as a transfiguration through human suffering and understanding.The language of the painting is through abstract form and symbol. The painting, as conceived, is a narrative to be "read" from left to right. At the lower left of the painting, we see an abstract form entering through a jagged vertical blood red shape. The form represents a life; the shape it goes through and experiences represents pain expressed in its sharp, saw-cutting demeanor – not what one might consider a comfortable shape. After going through this experience, the surgeon’s knife perhaps, our life form is seen progressing through various transformations, squeezed, stretched, etc., symbolizing stress and healing. In the center of the painting, our life form reaches a separation into three stable like forms – perhaps the realization that we are more than one – possibly the Trinity itself. Our form is subsequently changed to a light green and proceeds, "guided" by sun colored elements into and through the dark environment, it has avoided until now, to finally empty itself into an infinite green space – curiously, the same green it had become after its "enlightenment." Our form, which endured the rigors of a physical life has been replaced by a many colored flower shape – stable, complete, and confident; indeed, a "death and transfiguration."
Again, let me stress that this is but one interpretation out of many – such as the pain, death, and resurrection of Christ or a personal experience of pain and understanding. It is my hope that others will see more, different, or deeper meanings. It was simply my intent to express the best I could, given my "all too human" limitations, the power and the poetry of our human faith and spirit regardless of our individual religious beliefs.
Douglas Peden 1998 Essex, NY
