Obelisk V: Unmissing

The Story of Obelisk V: Unmissing

In the “Obelisk” series, I explore the monolithic presence of absence within the human experience, erecting visual tributes to resilience and loss. “Obelisk V: Unmissing”, a 76cm x 100cm mixed media work on canvas, stands as a textured monument to this theme, layering acrylics, inks and found materials to create a rugged landscape of form and void.

At the height of the composition lies a small, unyielding black section, rendered in Musou Black - the world's blackest acrylic paint, absorbing nearly all light to evoke an infinite depth. This deliberate abyss symbolises the irreplaceable fragments we lose: loved ones, dreams, moments that slip irretrievably into the past. It is a painted black hole, drawing the eye into contemplation of what is forever missing, a sombre reminder of life's inevitable fractures.

Yet, the work's true essence emerges in the expanse that surrounds this void. The heavily textured surfaces - built with impasto strokes, embedded fibres and metallic accents - pulse with vibrancy, representing the abundance that persists. Colours shift from muted Earth tones to subtle iridescent highlights, mirroring the multifaceted beauty of existence that endures despite hardship. Through this contrast, “Obelisk V: Unmissing” invites viewers to shift their gaze from the missing pieces to the vast tapestry that remains intact, affirming that while life exacts its tolls, its worth lies in the unmissing: the connections, growth and quiet triumphs that fill the frame.

This piece, like the series that belongs to, draws from personal reflections on grief and renewal, urging a philosophical recalibration. In a world quick to highlight voids, it whispers a defiant truth: what is present outweighs what is absent, making the journey profoundly worthwhile.