Asmidiske 1964

Editor: This is "Asmidiske" by Paul Feeley, from 1964, painted with acrylic. What I find striking is its hypnotic simplicity. Just four geometric shapes, yellow with a blue center, yet there's something deeply compelling about the repetition. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What strikes me is how these seemingly simple shapes resonate with a deeper history of symbolic forms. Don’t you think that Feeley pulls from the past and modernises it? These aren't just shapes; they echo motifs found in ancient textiles, mosaics, and even architectural details. Editor: Really? Like what specifically? I mean, it feels so abstract. Curator: The diamond within a softened square, for example. That's a symbol we see repeated across cultures and time, often signifying a gateway or portal. Consider how it features in various indigenous art forms, signifying connection between worlds. By isolating and repeating these elements, Feeley taps into this collective memory. It's visually clean but laden with subtle cultural weight. What’s your take on the color choices? Editor: They feel almost retro, like something out of a '60s interior design magazine. Curator: Precisely. The yellow and blue – reminiscent of optimistic mid-century modernism. It also serves to highlight the shapes and, I would argue, its intrinsic psychological impact. Do you think these images are working through you even before your rational mind processes them? Editor: I think so. I'm beginning to see how much more there is beyond the surface. Thanks for expanding how I understand visual symbols. Curator: It was my pleasure! Now I am viewing this Pop art painting a bit differently.