With light inevitably comes darkness, a dualism artist from Barcelona Connor Addison (rather) finds endlessly intriguing. “So often we forget to embrace the shadow because we think it is unlovable or invisible,” he says.
Addison is drawn to what he finds “in the space between our joy, passion, conscious thoughts and our fear… what lies in the shadows of our minds.” He often begins a painting with a question or thought that turns into an allegory. For example, ‘Brothers II’ arose from the following questions: ‘What is a brother/sister relationship? How do play and manipulation function between siblings?”
“Visualization can be so spontaneous,” he adds. “The entire painting just appears when I brush my teeth, for example.”
Working in muted palettes of earth tones, Addison renders cubist figures with pointed flesh and geometric limbs. The removal of clothing and distinctive facial features appeals to universal feelings and emotions, such as unconditional love, fear and curiosity. He adds:
I like the idea that someone 2000 years in the future or the past would still find a work meaningful and understandable, perhaps even on an alien planet! Allegory is a powerful thing. Its popularity died as religion fell out of fashion and we became more literate, but I love a story captured in images. It can say so much more than the word.
Addison is preparing for his next solo show with Action Art in 2026. Follow his work Instagram.
