This abstract piece stands as an evocative exploration of form, colour, and spatial harmony, conjuring a dialogue that is as much about absence as it is about presence. Ptolemy skilfully manipulates an earthy palette of rusts, ochres, greens, and creams, invoking a visceral connection to the natural world. These hues are neither accidental nor arbitrary; instead, they appear deeply intentional, evoking the raw, untamed landscapes of memory or imagination.
The composition unfolds as a quasi-topographical map, suggesting terrain but eschewing specificity. The fluidity of the shapes—soft yet deliberate—creates a rhythmic interplay that oscillates between stability and motion. The sinuous orange contours bleed into softer creams and verdant greens, forming boundaries that feel at once organic and contrived. One cannot help but interpret these forms as symbolic, though their meanings remain tantalizingly out of reach. Are we observing the remnants of a distant memory, a fragmented cartography of an internal landscape, or the traces of ecological decay? The refusal of the piece to offer resolution is its ultimate strength.
Of particular note is the isolated green form—a singular moment of solidity within a sea of ambiguity. This small shape, so unassuming yet profoundly significant, serves as a focal point, a reminder of persistence amidst dissolution. It may signify growth, renewal, or merely the quiet endurance of being. The viewer is invited to meditate on its implications, lost in its magnetic simplicity.
The work thrives on its refusal to conform to expectations, forcing the audience to grapple with questions of meaning and perception. In its abstraction, it becomes both a universal canvas for interpretation and a deeply personal experience. This is a study in balance and tension, a profound testament to the power of abstraction to evoke emotion without narrative. It is both a challenge and a gift—a visual poem for the contemplative spirit.
Essie Plandell
Essie is the author of Ptolemy? Greatest abstract artist since Michelangelo? Available from all good book shops.