File:The empty mirror.jpg

"The empty Mirror" , by Erik Pevernagie(100 x 80 cm), oil canvas

Mirrors seem to be an essential issue in art.

In "The empty Mirror" two persons look at a black surface. They look at a mirror. Both ignore the beholder and, as so often in the artist's works, both are faceless. They come to life in geometric compositions and grey tones. Perhaps one is the reflection of the other. Perhaps they are doubles or clones. Neither of them has a specific characteristic. They hide their identities. They are men (or women) without qualities.

If the face is considered as the mirror of the soul, these figures are soulless. The painting suggests potentiality: if we keep on looking, perhaps a figure will suddenly turn and we'll see the traits of the face, perhaps a reflection of the outer world will appear in the mirror or perhaps somebody will walk through the mirror and will thus enter his wonderland, an imaginary, parallel world.

The worst would be if the mirror were empty, as the world, which it is supposed to reflect, is also empty. In that case "the empty mirror” would stand for "the empty world”. (Daniel Thielemans)

The moment the mirror does not recognize us anymore, the cards are no longer in our hands. In effect, we have failed to see to the bottom line of our life story and lost our identity.

If we feel we cannot strike the right notes anymore and are not capable of forging ahead through the enticing pastures of our dreams, we must wisely put the treadmill on hold. So, let’s tame the inflated demands of greed for a while and look at our deeper self with compassion.

Phenomenon: Mental emptiness

Factual starting point of the picture: Two persons and mirror