Pat Andrea, 'The Bleeding Door' 2011
As the possibility of a progressive culture and a more equal society seems to recede daily, and the hope for social justice seems like an extinguished flame, how do we save ourselves from the despairing realisation that the human race is forever trapped within an endless cycle of tribal dominance, capitalistic accumulation and will- to - power ? Can we ever break from our aggressive self-interest and achieve a social state of grace in harmony with the other ?
In dark times we might turn to art for enlightenment, as at least within the confines of a painting, the hope of a better world can be kept alive, as well as the possibility of empathy, self-understanding and a confrontation with our own flaws.
The artists in this virtual exhibition all make paintings that explore the ethical and moral dilemmas of human beings, their boundaries and territories, their conflicts and struggles. Each artist offers hope in the possibility of a momentary perception of aesthetic transcendence. Together they create an ambiguous human terrain, guiding us through the dark walls of this virtual gallery.
