Technique Demo (Wood Grain) 1935 - 1942

Here we have Harry Mann Waddell's 'Technique Demo (Wood Grain)'. Each swatch presents the texture of wood, yet there is something more elemental at play. Look closely at the knots, the swirling patterns reminiscent of eyes staring back at us. Throughout history, the 'all-seeing eye' has emerged in various forms across cultures, from ancient Egyptian mythology to the modern world. The eye in the wood, a symbol of observation and knowledge, transcends time, taking on new meanings in each era. It evokes a sense of vigilance, like the Argus of Greek myth, whose hundred eyes watched unceasingly. Such motifs tap into the collective subconscious, engaging viewers on a primal level. This ancient symbol, with its ever-shifting meanings, continues its non-linear journey, resurfacing in unexpected contexts and reminding us of the enduring power of images.