“Black as Essence: Artistic Meditations on Reality and Being”

Colours are indeed powerful symbols that permeate cultural traditions, influencing emotions, behaviours, and societal norms in profound ways. This can evoke strong emotional responses. For instance, red might symbolise passion and energy in one culture, while in another, it could represent danger or warning. In Indian traditions, vibrant colours like red and gold are integral to weddings, symbolising prosperity and joy. In contrast, during periods of mourning, colours like white or black dominate, reflecting the sombre nature of the occasion. So how do colours work within the Art form? Here we celebrate the months theme word Jet looking at the colour Blkc in Art. Find out more at “Black as Essence: Artistic Meditations on Reality and Being”

Colours often signify cultural identity and heritage. For example, the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania wear red to represent bravery and strength. National flags use specific colours to reflect a country’s history and values. Many religions also assign sacred meanings to colours, in Christianity, purple symbolises penance during Lent, while in Buddhism, saffron robes worn by monks represent renunciation and the pursuit of enlightenment. Colours deeply influence cultural traditions and impact the human psyche and societal norms. “Jet-black” refers to the deep, glossy black of the gemstone jet, used in jewellery for thousands of years. Black symbolises formality, elegance, power, and authority in Western cultures, but also mourning and loss, reflecting life’s cycle.

However, many African cultures view black as a symbol of maturity, wisdom, and mystery, linked to ancestral spirits and fertile soil. In Hinduism, black represents the destructive power of Kali, as well as the unknown and infinite potential. In East Asian cultures, black has a dual nature, in China, it symbolises water, the north, and winter, embodying stillness and introspection, in Japan, it represents formality, the samurai’s honour, strength, and discipline.

In art, black can symbolise mystery, the unknown, and the infinite void. It can represent power, elegance, sophistication, mourning, sorrow, and the darker aspects of the psyche. In abstract thought, black is the absence of colour, a canvas for potential. It contrasts with other colours, emphasising light and shadow. Different shades add depth and texture, creating nuanced shadows and rich textures. This interplay makes compositions dynamic and engaging, inviting viewers to ponder reality and dualities in perception.

Black, in its myriad interpretations, reflects the rich tapestry of human culture and the diverse ways in which we seek to understand the essence of our existence and the nature of reality. And many artists have explored it in diverse ways.

Kazimir Malevich is a notable example, he created the famous “Black Square” in 1915, which was a radical departure from traditional art.

Kazimir Malevich
Black Square 1913
© State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Malevich’s motive was to express the purest form of abstraction, stripping away all forms and colours to reach the essence of being through simplicity and the void.

Ad Reinhardt, also Known for his “Black Paintings,” Reinhardt’s work in the 1960s was about pushing the boundaries of abstraction.

His motives were philosophical, aiming to create art which was free from any representational content, focusing instead on the meditative and contemplative nature of the colour black.

Pierre Soulages, often referred to as “the painter of black,” used black to explore light and texture. His “Outrenoir” series (beyond black) focuses on how light interacts with black surfaces, creating a dynamic and ever-changing visual experience. His motive was to delve into the depths of perception and the nature of reality.

Another notable artist who explores black is Yayoi Kusama, she is famous for her polka dots and vibrant colours, Kusama has also created works in black. Her motives often revolve around themes of infinity, mental health, and the cosmos, using black as a means to express the vastness and the void.

Frank Stella, in his early “Black Paintings” series, Stella used black to emphasise the structure and form of the canvas itself.

Frank Stella, Black series 1, Marriage of Reason and Squalor, 1967 lithograph

His motive was to remove any emotional or narrative content from the work, focusing purely on the physical space and geometric patterns.

Mark Rothko, a profound soul in the realm of abstract expressionism work delved into the very essence of being, seeking to evoke deep emotional responses through his use of colour and form. His paintings often featured large, rectangular fields of colour, and were designed to envelop the viewer, creating a meditative space inviteing contemplation.

Mark Rothko’s black paintings, particularly those created during the late 1960s, are profound explorations of the human condition. These works, often characterised by their sombre, dark hues, reflect Rothko’s deepening preoccupation with themes of mortality, existential despair, and the void.

One of the most notable series of these black paintings is the set he created for the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. These paintings are vast, enveloping canvases that employ dark, almost monochromatic palettes. The motive behind these works was to create a space for contemplation and reflection, a sanctuary where viewers could confront their own inner depths and existential questions.

In essence, Rothko’s black paintings are not just about darkness, but about the profound silence and stillness that can be found within it, offering a space for contemplation and the exploration of the human soul.

The blackest black, known as Vantablack, was created by the scientific team at Surrey Nano-systems, led by Ben Jensen. Vantablack is a material made from vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays, and it absorbs 99.965% of visible light, making it the darkest substance known. Its creation has had significant implications in fields ranging from art to scientific research due to its unique light-absorbing properties.

Gathering Clouds I-IV by Anish Kapoor

The blackest black art, using Vantablack, has been most famously associated with the artist Anish Kapoor. Kapoor acquired exclusive rights to use Vantablack in his artistic works, which has allowed him to create pieces that explore the depths of perception and the nature of voids. This exclusivity led to much discussion and controversy within the art community, further highlighting the unique properties and potential of this ultra-black material in artistic expression.

Indeed, smaller sculptural works can be profound in their ability to distil the essence of composition and materialism. Eleanor Lakelin and Aneta Regel, are two remarkable contemporary artists whose works delve deeply into the essence of natural forms and materials. With their heightened sensitivity to detail, they created new artwork, exhibiting at Sarah Myerscough Gallery. The intimate scale allows for an intense focus on shape, texture, and the intrinsic qualities of the materials, making each piece a concentrated study.

When viewed as interrelated groups or pairings, these works reveal an enhanced dynamism. The interplay between the pieces can create a dialogue, where the individual characteristics of each sculpture are amplified through their relationships with one another. This approach not only showcases the artists’ meticulous attention to detail but also invites viewers to engage deeply with the nuances and subtleties of the material world.

Bloma Vessel #1, 2024 Horse Chestnut Burr, Scorched by Eleanor Lakelin

Both artists, through their unique approaches, invite the world to engage with the material world in a deeper, more contemplative manner, reflecting on the interconnections of nature and human existence.

Eleanor Lakelin and Aneta Regel’s works might not be classified as “black art” in the traditional sense, but they do explore profound themes and use natural materials in innovative ways. Lakelin’s wood sculptures, with their intricate textures and organic forms, often evoke a sense of timelessness and contemplation. Regel’s ceramic pieces, inspired by geological formations, challenge traditional notions of ceramics with their dynamic and expressive forms.

Black Raining Stone Vessel, 2024 Stoneware by Aneta Regel

Each of these artists used black not just as a colour, but as a profound statement on the nature of art, existence, and perception. Blacks also play a crucial role in various art movements. In Minimalism, it often underscores simplicity and purity of form. In Abstract Expressionism, it can convey intense emotion and existential themes. Overall, black is a versatile and powerful colour in the realm of art, capable of conveying a wide range of meanings and enhancing the visual impact of a piece.

Gerold Miller is a fascinating artist whose work often delves into abstraction and minimalism, where the essence of colour, including black, plays a pivotal role. In his pieces, black is not merely a colour but a profound statement that engages with the viewer’s perception of space and form.

Instant Vision 257 by Gerold Miller, January 17–February 16, 2025

In his series “Set,” for instance, Miller uses black to define geometric shapes and boundaries, creating a stark contrast that plays with the viewer’s sense of dimension. The black surfaces are meticulously crafted, emphasising the materialism and the subtle variations in texture and light reflection. Gerold Miller is exhibiting new art in Finland for the first time at Galerie Forsblom. His meticulous craftsmanship, with subtle variations in texture and light reflection, adds complexity and depth. These elements create a dynamic yet meditative atmosphere, inviting viewers to explore the philosophical and abstract dimensions of his work.

The essence of the colour black in art is profound and multifaceted. Black often symbolises mystery, depth, and the unknown, invoking a sense of contemplation and introspection. It can represent the void, the infinite, and the boundaries of perception. Artists use black to create contrast, highlight other colours, and convey a wide range of emotions, from elegance and sophistication to darkness and melancholy. In essence, black is a powerful tool in the artist’s palette, capable of evoking deep philosophical reflections on the nature of reality and the essence of being.

While black is often associated with negative emotions, its use in art and design can also convey a range of positive qualities, depending on the context and interpretation. In contemporary art and design, black is often used to create a sleek, modern aesthetic. It can represent simplicity and clarity, stripping away unnecessary details to focus on the essence of the subject. Elegance and Sophistication in fashion and design, black is often used to denote sophistication and timeless elegance. Think of the classic black dress or a sleek black car.

By carefully considering the context and how black interacts with other elements, artists can effectively use this colour to evoke a wide spectrum of emotions and thoughts in their audience.

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