Day Break 1997

Bram Bogart’s ‘Day Break’ is a painting composed of thick slabs of yellow and white paint. The bright yellow evokes the life-giving power of the sun, an elemental symbol present throughout human history. Consider ancient Egyptian sun worship, where the sun god Ra was central to their cosmology. Here, the yellow may echo Ra's golden rays, suggesting a life force. The textured white may allude to clouds, their contrast symbolizing a celestial phenomenon. Think about ‘Annunciation’ scenes, where the angel Gabriel is often depicted bathed in divine light. Likewise, here, the white may convey purity and divine intervention, suggesting the breaking of dawn as a moment of revelation. This primal image of light emerging from darkness, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Symbols, it seems, are never truly new. They are in constant flux, always resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in response to the cultural contexts that give rise to them.