Si Lewen “Phases”

“Evidently, we cannot escape our past, whether recent or the most distant, even our primeval ancestry. And yet, convinced that everything must change - through evolution and mutation - even millions of years should not appear long, on the cosmic scale. To understand our past might not only explain our present dilemma, but also project some hope for the future. Never interested in sports, I made up my own games - searching the distant past as well as the more beckoning future, and was startled when both past and future appeared to come together to meet and merge in some roundabout circle within the configuration of my mind. It provided not only substance for my imagery, but also cycles of pessimism and, in balanced measure, faith, hope and ultimate acceptance. An artist’s work is said to reflect not merely reality but himself - a self -portrait, ¬weaving and shuttling back and forth from starkest, darkest gloom, but again and again breaking into unexpected surprise of bright, joyous colors.” - Si Lewen