Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette
36”h X 80”w
Oil on Canvas
2003
One of three in a series inspired by my children. Titled, Pictorial Dilemma; My Son Hunter’s Silhouette, for a few reasons. Firstly, because of the constant changing themes and energy that transpired as this work progressed, including multiple images juxtaposed to one and another, forcing the viewer to constantly move their eyes to try and make sense of the depiction. Secondly, because I had my Son Hunter in mind while painting this work, including his actual silhouette in the painting. Yet, the main reason is that it is a completely different picture upside down; in fact, the imagery is far more complex, layered in multifaceted enigmas that become visible only after much observation, presenting the viewer with such images as (from left to right): a large head superimposed with a grim reaper image, a torso in a crystal ball, and Dumbo’s Silhouette (which becomes a circus elephant sitting on a ball and holding a ring, when stood up on the left side).
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
This detail is the same as the one above, but upside down to show the flying elephant holding a hoop.
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
This detail is the same as the one above, but upside down to show the head and torso inside the hoop.
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
This detail is the same as the one above, but upside down to show a face with a green mustache, and a blue grim reaper type character. 
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)
Pictorial Dilemma - My Son Hunter’s Silhouette (detail)