Hieroglyphics 1950

Forrest Bess made this small painting, Hieroglyphics, at an unknown date with oil on canvas. It’s a still life of sorts, but the symbolic language Bess developed throughout his life is the true subject. The colours feel earthy, raw, like they came straight from the ground. Looking closely, you can see the texture of the paint, thick in some areas, thin in others. The brushstrokes are visible, not smoothed over, revealing the artist's hand. See that little set of symbols on the bottom left? It’s like a little puzzle, a secret code, hinting at Bess's own personal mythology. It’s like he’s inviting us to decipher it, but also daring us to try. Bess's work reminds me a bit of Hilma af Klint, another artist who delved into the mystical and spiritual through abstract forms. Both artists use painting as a way to explore inner worlds, to create visual languages that communicate beyond the realm of the everyday. In the end, it’s not about finding one right answer, but about embracing the mystery, the ambiguity, and the endless possibilities of art.