Simplicity is not a goal in art, but simplicity is achieved involuntarily by entering into the true sense of things.

— Constantin Brancusi

In a rapidly evolving world, the concept of metamorphosis has become central to the exploration of identity and perception. In the series of works presented in the exhibition Metamorphosis of Vision, Kenneth Blom examines contemporary identity and its ties to the past—whether distant or recent. These reflections manifest in works that serve as abstract, though not distorting, mirrors of society. Blom captures the essence of architectural forms within our landscape, often overlooked by the inattentive gaze, transforming them into a profound visual language that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

Blom’s paintings explore the interplay between architectural archetypes and the presence of the Self. The inclusion of shadows and indistinct human figures introduces the idea of a universal human archetype—shared behavioural, emotional, and thought patterns deeply embedded within the collective unconscious. These archetypes encapsulate life’s core experiences and the narrative frameworks that connect different cultures, eras, and contexts.

Blom’s world is composed of structures that aspire to exist yet remain incomplete, and forms that aim to contain yet leave their content ambiguous. His work transcends time, freezing it within a metaphysical image where silence resonates as a tangible auditory experience. Colours play a vital role in Blom’s compositions: radiant blues, greys softened by reds, and delicate greens create a dynamic organism of hues. Brushstrokes flow like currents, imbuing the space with emotional vibrancy, where colours are not just sensory elements but conduits for intimacy and ideas.

This visual truth is inseparable from the conceptual framework that emerges from the gaze of both artist and viewer. Blom’s use of the composition mediates this interaction, creating a unique dialogue between interpretation and divergence. The world he depicts becomes an illusory space, rich with signals that echo a nostalgia for the past—a transition immersed in an ostensibly static reality that moves deeply within our consciousness.

As Mircea Eliade observes, the establishment of a sacred space—where mythical narratives are relived in the present, outside the bounds of time—represents humanity’s archetypal response to its fear of history, change, and dissolution into multiplicity.

Massimo Scaringella