Lignite, 1968, Oil on canvas, 50 x 41 in., photo by Dan Bradica, New York, NY, courtesy of Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY © 2024 Emily Mason | Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation/ARS. Thank you for giving me permission to feature Emily’s work.

What is contemplative art?

The concept of contemplative art has deep historical roots, with its manifestations found across various cultures and time periods. It includes both making and being immersed in art experiences, and encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, literature and performance art. While artists may not explicitly use the term ‘contemplative art’, the practice has been present since humans began painting on cave walls.

As a practice, contemplative art fosters deep reflection, mindfulness and inner awareness. Importantly, it emphasises authentic engagement and a conscious connection between the artwork and the viewer's inner landscape, rather than solely focusing on aesthetics. This approach provides an opportunity to experience art in a profoundly personal manner, allowing exploration of interpretations, connections, and responses through the senses, rather than just the intellect.

Engaging in contemplative art practices enables individuals to perceive, touch, and feel with an 'open heart'. They focus on the artwork's essence, rather than adherence to historical norms, or sensibilities.

Contemplative art practices aim to blur, or eliminate, the subject-object dichotomy, and in-so-doing they embrace the idea that opposing concepts can coexist, and even complement each other. They illuminate the interdependence of seemingly disparate elements, such as night and day, darkness and light; they highlight flow, balance, and the natural ebb and flow of nature’s rhythm.

I invite you to participate in a brief contemplative art experience… Please take a moment to find a comfortable seat, and click on the audio below to explore the essence of the painting "Lignite, 1968" (see above), by Emily Mason.

Contemplating ‘Lignite’

As Emily's ‘Lignite’ slowly seeps into my consciousness, it gently stirs a full-bodied reaction that engages multiple senses. The symbolism of coal, so beautifully captured through rich tones and earthy colours, evoke a sense of deep-time. I am taken on a journey through multiple layers of emotion, followed by expansive textured landscapes.

As I rest for a while within Emily’s painting, the terra scripture of the earth’s rock formations evoke a distant memory of forgotten places. I reflect upon a feeling of enduring loss, as I consider the transient nature of belonging.

I am drawn to contemplate my own relationship with time, and I feel the impermanent, fleeting nature of the delicate present moment…

As I continue to gaze softly upon "Lignite," a sense of spaciousness begins to unfold; a feeling of being (re)connected to something unexplainable flows through my body, and sensations of elusive light guide my attention even deeper into the painting.

As I become immersed in ‘Lignite’, time and space seems to fade; replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace–emanating from within.

In the words of William Wordsworth, "Lignite" possesses:

A Presence that disturbs me with joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime…

(ref.1)

Emily Mason

Emily Mason, born in New York (1932-2019), is associated with the American abstract expressionist movement. My initial fascination with Mason's work stemmed from encountering the exhibition "The Thunder Hurried Slow" at the Miles McEnery Gallery in New York (December 14th to January 3rd, 2024). The title of the exhibition intrigued me, as I have a deep appreciation for Emily Dickinson's poetry.

Emily Mason captivates our attention

"Pleasure Garden," 1970, oil on canvas, 52 x 44 in., photo by Dan Bradica, New York, NY, courtesy of Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY © 2024 Emily Mason | Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation/ARS. Permission has been obtained to feature this work.

Humans naturally feel uncomfortable with uncertainty. Abstract art, unless explained, can sometimes leave viewers feeling uneasy, leading to avoidance. Mason’s vibrant colours, cadence, and sense of harmony are an invitation that draws the viewer into her world, and yet, at times, her work also instills uncertainty, due to its lack of definition or explanation.

Feeling uncomfortable, even agitated by the unknown, tends to evoke a visceral response in our nervous system that is hard to ignore. Instead of hastily fleeing from difficult or unfamiliar sensations, contemplative practices encourage us to be still within these feelings. As we soften our gaze and release any judgment associated with these emotions, they begin to move and flow through us; and gradually, space emerges, allowing for a more enriching encounter to unfold.

What I appreciate about Mason’s work is that she seems to have captured this experience through paint. Through colour and composition she invites us to sense the liminal space between what is known, and what is continually unfolding in the realm of infinite possibility.

Her compositions evoke a sense of depth and stillness, grounding us in the present moment. Simultaneously, the vibrant interplay of colour with shape in ‘Pleasure Garden’ suggests movement and fluidity, inviting us to transition into a state of flow. Instead of prompting a reaction that leads to a retreat from experience, conversely - Mason's work encourages us to delve into the myriad layers of mystery behind every layered colour, tone, and line. The interplay of light and dark shades provide bridges—allowing us to traverse safely between different spaces; offering moments for rest and contemplation.

The Thunder Hurried Slow

Mason’s vibrant bursts of red in ‘The Thunder Hurried Slow’ act as anchor points – moments of respite amidst the thunder’s impending chaos. It is as if Emily Mason has crafted an experience – rather than an object, as she invites us to hover between reaction and immersion.

Mason’s work possesses an energy that compels repeated investigation!

Certain works of art can be transformative, reaching deep into our psyche and altering who we are. Sometimes, we can't articulate what has changed, but nevertheless - we know we've been moved to feel something profound.

This is how I feel when I engage with Emily Mason’s work.

My next blog considers why nature is a key theme in contemplative art. You can keep an eye on my instagram feed for updates.

Thank you to Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY and Emily Mason | Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation/ARS for agreeing to let me feature Emily’s work - it has been an absolute honour!

A Brief overview of the benefits of engaging with contemplative art practices:

Reconnecting With Our ‘True-Self’:
In many wisdom traditions, it is believed that contemplative practices can reacquaint practitioners with their ‘true inner-self’ - a state within that is untainted by our lived-experiences and problems.
Cultivating a Multifaceted and Multidimensional View of Reality:
Non-dualistic contemplation promotes an understanding of reality as multifaceted and multidimensional. Rather than reducing experiences to binary categories, individuals engaging in contemplative practices learn to appreciate the depth and richness of the world around them. This expanded awareness contributes to a more profound, nuanced and interconnected view of life.
Fostering Deeper Connections and Improving Mental and Emotional Well-being:
One of the significant benefits of non-dualistic contemplation is its impact on personal well-being. As individuals feel more connected to others and their environment, a sense of meaning, purpose and acceptance deepens. This heightened sense of connection has positive implications for mental and emotional health.

References:

Ref.1: “Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth (1798) Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour. July 13, 1798.

Meditation Music Credit: Adrift, by Christopher Lloyd Clarke. Licensed by Enlightened Audio

What Is Contemplative Art