The Construction of Perception: From Romantic Sublimity to Impressionist Immediacy

A comparative study of J. M. W. Turner's The Slave Ship (1840) and Claude Monet's Impression, Sunrise (1872), examining how color, light, and atmosphere shape the viewer's perception. Through formal analysis and historical context, this research explores the relationship between Romantic sublimity and Impressionist immediacy, considering how paintings transform visual experience into something felt as much as seen.

Gerard Sekoto, Cyclists in Sophiatown

A closer look at Gerard Sekoto’s Cyclists in Sophiatown reveals the quiet rhythm of everyday urban life. Through contrasting warm and cool tones, shifting light and shadow, and lines that guide the eye down the street, Sekoto creates a sense of depth and movement within the neighborhood. What appears to be an ordinary moment becomes a study of atmosphere, perspective, and the lived experience of a community captured in time.

Sally Mann, Candy Cigarette

A closer look at Sally Mann’s Candy Cigarette reveals a tension between childhood innocence and the appearance of maturity. Through the contrast of posture, gaze, and gesture, Mann draws attention to a young girl whose guarded expression and cigarette distinguish her from the carefree children around her. What initially appears to be an ordinary moment outdoors becomes a more ambiguous reflection on growing up, self-presentation, and the ways we interpret childhood through the lens of adulthood.

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing

Beneath its playful, idyllic surface, Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing reveals a carefully orchestrated scene of pleasure and privilege. Through contrasting colors, dramatic lighting, and the figures’ gestures, clothing, and positions, Fragonard places the woman at the center of a world that seems to revolve around her. What initially appears carefree invites a closer examination of the relationships between wealth, gender, and social hierarchy.

Introduction / Creative Practice

An Intro to my notes on art, writing, & creative practice.