View from the Hotel Swanaze, India n.d.

Sir Charles D'Oyly captured this view with watercolor in India. A tall, slender church tower rises in the background. This form echoes the ancient obelisks of Egypt, symbols of stability and power, reaching towards the heavens. Over time, we see this reaching gesture transformed into the Christian spire, which symbolizes faith and aspiration, connecting earth and the divine. The boats, both at sea and resting on the shore, suggest movement and transition, yet also speak to the human longing for safe harbor. Consider how these boats mirror the ships in ancient Greek votive offerings, promising safe journeys and returns. This symbolism resonates even now, engaging our subconscious with its enduring themes of exploration and homecoming. These symbols are non-linear, cyclical progressions and remind us of how cultural memory and subconscious processes affect art production and interpretation.