Thesen’s woodcut art enthralls

ARTIST Guy Thesen is exhibiting 50 black-and-white woodcuts and their corresponding vividly painted woodblocks in Bridges at the Monument over the National Arts Festival.

Thesen has exhibited solo shows twice before at the festival, first in 2013 and then in 2015.

He said the content of the Fringe art exhibition Bridges was initially influenced by the books of Alice A Bailey on esoteric study and contemplation.

“My work explores the subtle inner reality and awareness of what it is to be human within the real confines of a physical body, subject to the laws of the material world manifest around us,” Thesen said.

“The theme of my images explores many aspects of our common humanity such as our purpose, meaning and ultimate destiny.

“Questions like, is there a benevolent subjective force guiding us towards a basic purpose, or are we a fortuitous one-off incident in a vast uncaring universe?

“Are we maybe not in some way in a gradual spiritual evolution towards an eventual common destination beyond our current mental comprehension, yet unbroken within a continuation of individual consciousness in both states known as ‘life’ and ‘death’?”

Bridges is open from 9am to 5pm daily until July 9, at Fort Selwyn at the Monument. — Herald Correspondent