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The Abstract Unconscious

The essay explores reasons for a decline in abstract painting dealing with transcendental experience. Viewed within the context of a broader cultural ‘problem’ it argues that there is a valid role for transcendental experience which can be addressed through contemporary abstract painting.

This makes an original contribution to this area bringing knowledge of contemporary abstract painting and its relevance within the realms of transcendental /depth experience to both the Jungian community and at an international level by engaging further debate (in The Vital Image interview) as to whether this is a wider issue in contemporary western thought. The argument links theory to practice using examples of my own paintings (and experience of painting) within a broader theoretical position concerning the importance of depth experience and the unconscious for the psyche.