Fog, Hawke's Bay 1969

Rita Angus made this painting of Hawke's Bay, likely in the mid-20th century, with oil on canvas. Notice the road cutting through the landscape like a river, connecting the foreground to the distant horizon, where a heavy fog obscures the view. Roads carry a potent symbolism that stretches back through time. From the ancient Roman roads to the Silk Road, these pathways have represented connection, exploration, and the journey of life itself. Consider how, in medieval pilgrimage routes, the road became a metaphor for spiritual quest. Even in modern cinema, roads symbolize freedom, escape, and the search for identity. Angus cleverly incorporates this ancient motif, and the presence of the fog adds another layer of meaning. Fog, historically, has symbolized uncertainty, the unknown, and the blurring of boundaries, evoking a sense of mystery and the ephemeral nature of existence. It's a powerful force that engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, inviting introspection. The cyclical progression of the road symbol, veiled by the fog, resurfaces here, evolved and imbued with new meanings that resonate even today.