Pieces of inner peace
Artist Millard Arnold draws on nature and the teachings of Tao to create his emotionally evocative panoramas
In the musings section of his website Millard Arnold attempts to explain his unique approach to life and art. He says: “In its seemingly random symmetry, nature offers a panoply of ideas, concepts, truths and emotions. It pulsates with rhythm and energy; a majestic vitality from which consciousness is drawn and from which life itself is manifested.”
The result is a number of seemingly spontaneous, ethereal works that distil the forms and lines of nature into emotionally evocative panoramas — the actual emotion you might feel if sitting quietly and mindfully observing a natural environment.
Though it isn’t necessarily a logical comparison visually, the work of 1920s Dutch artist Piet Mondrian springs to mind. While the artist focused on urban landscapes, abstracting the lines and rectangles to their absolute basics, the work contained a vibrancy that reflected the energy and “spiritual order” underlying the physical environment.
Titles such as Broadway Boogie-Woogie beautifully sum up the vibrancy of New York City and the jazz scene of the time.
Similarly, Arnold draws on the energy of nature and teachings of the Tao to create works such as Spirit Moves Where it Wants or Last Corner of the Universe.
The pieces evoke a sense of mystery and energy underlying the actual physical environment they are portraying.
In works like To Die But Not to Perish is to be Eternally Present the sources of Arnold’s creations are obvious in shape and subtle hues, and we are fully aware of the outline of leaves