Reanimation is an exhibition of select pieces created by Ant Pearce while living in Capitola Village, CA. The series is multi layered and revisiting aspects of the human psyche with an emphasis on the longing to return to the true self; the repressed subconscious, named the Id by Freud and the Shadow by Jung; and its bound relationship with the Ego. Through this personification, the artist explores the significance of Women whilst also reflecting on elements of his own psyche.

Inspiration came from the coast line and forest of Capitola, his contemporary and muse; Diana V Walsworth and, the amazing women of CrossFit SC Central, especially Annie Sakamoto, Kelly Greco, Helene Bouchard and Carmen D’Aluisio. The artist has combined his signature use of thread, hand-stitched on paper, with fabric designs by Ana Carolina Cinta, while using old and new approaches to layering and mark-making with watercolor; introduced to him by London based American artists Julia Colmenares and Rebbeca Allen. Outside influences came from artists Christine Ay Tjoe (White Cube, Bermondsey) and Anni Albers (Tate Modern) and writings by authorities in Jungian psychology.

At the highest level there is a sense of freeing; of becoming and; stepping out of the cage.; mirrors and shifting reflections enabled a change in perception — instigating a more harmonious partnering of id and ego and thus facilitating a clearer view into the darker (and golden) aspects of Self. Here, honesty, contentment, action, growth and intuition, suffering and pain blend together and are able to occur/be experienced at the same time.

Layered within this, through the use of symbols, is a focus on the importance of Women within the System:, as individuals and as a collective, and their implicit connection to the System, as the creators and nurturers of human life; together with their innate understanding; through intellect; compassion; strength and intuition.

These principles have been seamlessly introduced to the artist through these women, who have an intrinsic sense of wisdom. This, coupled with connecting with the energy and space in nature, allowed him profound access into the darker and brighter aspects of character — the duality, of internal suffering and pain joined with creativity, lightness, strength and warmth; something he had not experienced before.

‘When I awoke I realised at once that the [gigantic black] figure was my own shadow on the swirling mists, brought into being by the little light I was carrying. I knew too that this little light was my consciousness, the only light I have. Though infinitely small and fragile in comparison with the powers of darkness, it is still a light, my only light.’

Carl Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections (Zweig and Abrams, 1991, p. xvii).

Special thanks to Saatchi Art Curator Monty Preston for her assistance and support.

References

Zweig, C. and Abrams, J. (eds.) (1991) Meeting The Shadow. 1st edn. New York: Penguin Group USA.