Vertigo Gallery Dave Mckean

The composition immediately establishes a sense of disorientation and unease through its unconventional perspective. The viewer is presented with what appears to be a figure suspended or falling within a space defined by swirling, amorphous forms rendered in predominantly warm tones – reds, oranges, and browns – that evoke both heat and decay. These shapes lack clear boundaries, blending into one another and creating an atmosphere of instability.
The central figure, seemingly human but distorted and fragmented, is positioned diagonally across the frame. Its posture suggests a state of vulnerability or distress; it appears to be in mid-motion, caught between descent and potential impact. The face, though partially obscured, conveys a sense of anguish through the visible eyes and the downturned mouth. A peculiar luminosity emanates from this facial area, drawing attention to the figures emotional state while simultaneously adding an element of surrealism.
Foreground elements introduce further complexity. Two elongated, organic forms – resembling stylized plant stalks or perhaps distorted limbs – extend vertically along the left side of the canvas. Their texture is rough and granular, contrasting with the fluidity of the background. These structures offer a tenuous sense of grounding but do not provide a clear path or escape from the implied fall.
The color palette reinforces the overall mood. The dominance of reds and browns suggests themes of passion, danger, and perhaps even mortality. The limited use of cooler tones – hints of blue and green visible within the swirling forms – offers fleeting moments of respite but does not fundamentally alter the prevailing atmosphere of tension.
A vertical strip along the left edge, marked with a scale, disrupts the visual flow and introduces an element of scientific documentation or measurement into this otherwise dreamlike scene. This juxtaposition suggests a commentary on perception, reality, and the attempt to quantify subjective experience. The presence of this measuring tool implies that what is depicted might be an observation, albeit one filtered through a deeply personal lens.
Subtly, the work explores themes of psychological fragility, loss of control, and the precariousness of existence. It invites contemplation on the nature of perception and the ways in which our internal states can shape our understanding of reality.