2 Tide Tabs 1993

Al Taylor made this work, entitled '2 Tide Tabs,' using graphite and colored pencil on paper. Notice the dominance of the circular motif. Throughout history, the circle has appeared as a symbol of wholeness, eternity, and cyclical return. Think of the Ouroboros, the ancient symbol of a serpent eating its own tail, representing the eternal return and the unity of beginning and end. Here, in Taylor’s rendering, we see a looping form, rendered with both vibrant color and muted shadow. The use of color and shadow introduces a duality, perhaps hinting at the conscious and subconscious. The bright, almost playful colors are juxtaposed against the washed-out greys that could symbolize repressed or latent memories. Does the contrast of the real and spectral imply the enduring nature of certain forms? How the past, though faded, continues to influence and shape the present. Consider how these forms engage us, stirring feelings of continuity and change, illustrating the persistent relevance of symbols in our collective consciousness.