Ancestral Spaces: Time, Memory and the Liminal Experience of Painting

Where a person is situated in time and space determines the way an artwork is perceived. The result of this experience implies a relationship between the viewer and the artwork, thereby creating a liminal space. This threshold or in-between space separates and unites two opposing forces, creating a unique place that transcends memory and time. An artwork can serve as a mediatory object between artist and viewer because with each encounter a unique meeting occurs. Thus, the meeting of audience and art object is transitory, ephemeral and temporal by nature and will be discussed in relation to the artwork as a vehicle to foster subjective perception. Using my ancestral memories as a starting point, I refer to the art object as a means to explore time as a cross section of experience. Like dreams, where time is non-linear and memories exist side by side, I refer to the nondual space that exists between artist, artwork and audience as an opportunity to access an intuitive reaction to perception. By presenting an overview of approaches from art history and contemporary art, this paper will discuss the various philosophical approaches that have been employed to represent space and time.

Marisa Purcell is a visual artist based in Sydney, Australia. She has exhibited extensively in Australia, Europe and Hong Kong and is the recipient of grants and residencies in Zurich, Paris and Australia. Her paintings incorporate eastern spatial devices through tracing familial stories and mythologies and incorporate eastern spatial devices.