Taste of the abyss 

Here, Pierre Alechinsky captures the 'Taste of the Abyss' with a churning, blue vortex framed by frenetic lines. The central image evokes the Maelstrom, a motif that has haunted artists and writers, symbolizing both the sublime terror and the inexorable pull of the unknown. This abyss resonates with images of the sea serpent or dragon, symbols of primordial chaos. We see echoes of this in ancient myths, where the serpent represents the untamed forces of nature. But look closer – doesn't this swirling blue also recall the snake in the Garden of Eden? An emblem of forbidden knowledge, a plunge into uncharted territories of the self. Consider how the surrounding chaotic lines mirror the inner turmoil, the psychological whirlpool that the abyss represents. It reflects a cyclical progression: the abyss is not just an end but also a beginning, a return to the source from which new forms emerge, constantly evolving and resurfacing in our collective consciousness.