Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

This study examines texts and images and the poetic connection between the two, by explicating how text gives life to image and image subsequently informs and inspires text. It also sets out to examine how art practice creates knowledge and induces philosophy. The study is inspired by Paul Gauguin’s theory on the inclusion of shadow in painting. This study aims at creating paintings through observation of images derived from shadows. Shadows are here reconstructed in painting as independent images and not as appendages to any phenomenal object. The study explores the texts of Kantian and Heideggerian philosophy to create paintings given Onyinyo local mythological theory life within a contemplative space. The literature review shows that shadow had been in existence before the researcher engaged in this study but, the nature of inquiry differs from previous ones in traditional painting practice. Participatory technique was adapted as research method and phenomenological theories and philosophy formed the focus of this study, which assesses art, especially how painting can inform theory and theory as well informs painting practice. The research establishes that the practice of painting and knowledge are inseparable and that painting is a visual narrative that could be read through careful contemplation and that painting could lead a critical argument for the topicality of the visual arts.