The Thunder, Perfect Mind

How do irrational and mystical beliefs relate to the creative act? And is it dangerous to put art out into the world that addresses the occult? During her residency period at 1646, Emily explored the archetype of the naked ageing female body, or the ‘crone’ (an old and supposedly ugly woman), in 16th and 17th century print-making, which was often portrayed as diabolical and witch-like.

Besides using more traditional techniques in her artistic research, like acid-bath etching and using the printing press, Emily also focused on another area of her research, entailing the mystical and the mysterious. With digital printing combined with her own watercolour drawings, Emily will create a Ouija board, which allows her to explore the ‘ideomotor effect’: an unconscious and involuntary physical movement, unlocking subconscious knowledge as a channel to create art. Through his literary, curatorial and art historical practice, Pádraic E. Moore often examines how contemporary culture has embraced aesthetics and ideals informed by esoteric traditions. Pádraic chronicles the work of artists who refer to or follow these traditions.