Free & Easy 1988

Frederick Hammersley’s painting, "Free & Easy," presents us with a set of shapes that seem deceptively simple. These biomorphic forms, in their arrangement, evoke a sense of underlying tension and balance. Consider the interplay between the white, cloud-like shape and the supporting purple form; one can almost see a face, or perhaps a mask. Masks have appeared throughout history, from ancient ritual practices to modern theater, symbolizing transformation and hidden identity. Their use has been culturally ingrained as a way to convey dualism, an alter ego, or a facet of oneself that one desires to show or hide. This act of obscuring and revealing touches upon a primal human experience: the dichotomy between the conscious and the unconscious, the visible and the invisible. Here, the free-flowing shapes invite our minds to complete them, to find meaning where none is explicitly given. The subconscious associations we bring to this canvas reveal how deeply ingrained these archetypal forms are within our collective psyche, shaping our perception and emotional response. It's a dance between freedom and control, echoing through our cultural memory.