An increasing number of modern artists are exploring the mystical and paranormal, taking cues from mysticism, witchcraft, and the unexplainable. Artists are exploring the borders between reality and the supernatural through their work, reflecting a greater societal interest in the invisible. A new generation of artists is pushing the frontiers of artistic expression with everything from clairvoyant painters to spectral canines.
The basis for renowned artist Stuart Pearson Wright’s most recent show, “Miscellanalects,” at Flowers Gallery in London, is his early experience with a phantom black dog. Renowned for his pictures of celebrities like J.K. Rowling and John Hurt, Pearson Wright explores the folklore surrounding ghost dogs, including the East Anglian legend of Black Shuck. Portraits that look into the psychological and metaphorical aspects of these ethereal entities are on display in this exhibition.
Recent exhibitions and auctions underscore the resurgence of interest in mysticism, witchcraft, and spirituality within the art world. “The Horror Show” at Somerset House, featuring artists like David Shrigley and Tai Shani, and the Tate Modern’s showcase of Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian exemplify the diverse range of artistic expressions inspired by the paranormal. Marina Abramović’s fascination with shamanism and astrology, as seen in her Royal Academy retrospective, adds another layer to this exploration of the mystical.
The focus of the work of up-and-coming artist Bone Tan Jones, who has an installation at the Serpentine Gallery and is included in the Somerset House exhibition, is on the spiritual link. Tan Jones sees their artwork as a ritual and a craft and has significant ties to paganism and spirituality. Tan Jones is currently investigating the relationship between spirituality, the environment, and art as the artist-in-residence at The Sustainable Institution in Europe.
Renowned for its associations with symbolism and enchantment, the surrealism movement finds a resurgence in modern art. The “Art of the Surreal” sale at Christie’s auction house featured a collection that emphasised the movement’s magical and visionary elements. Wolfgang Paalen portrayed the mysterious characters he saw as a child in his work “Taches Solaires,” which sold for an unprecedented £756,000.
“Surrealism and Witchcraft,” an exhibition showcasing the work of eleven female artists, is being presented by Lamb Gallery in London. The founder of the gallery, Lucinda Bellm, believes that surrealism still has a place in the current conversations about feminism, gender, and power relations. For female artists navigating a largely male art scene, witches become powerful symbols that offer a platform to explore intricate topics of gender, sexuality, and dreams.
Environmental concerns are prominent in spirituality-inspired art. An increasing awareness of environmental issues is reflected in the resurgence of interest in the work of radical eco-feminist and Swedish-born artist Monica Sjöö. An upcoming book and a retrospective of her work at Modern Art Oxford coincide with a wider investigation into the relationship between spirituality, ecology, and art. There is a growing convergence of spirituality, mysticism, and art as modern artists push boundaries and investigate the invisible. In addition to producing visually arresting works, these artists are encouraging viewers to ponder the enigmatic and the metaphysical through their surrealist visions and ghostly dogs. The canvas of contemporary art proves to be an endless space for exploring the depths of the human psyche and our connection to the unknown as we navigate an era marked by a renewed interest in the paranormal.
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Iftikar Ahmed is a New Delhi-based art writer, researcher and curator.
