Hemispheres
Oil on canvas
18" x 14"
2008

This painting’s title refers to the human brain’s left and right hemispheres. The former hemisphere relates to the dominant functions of logic, language and mathematics, while the latter hemisphere relates to the dominant functions of creativity, spirituality and spatial awareness. Excessive dominance of right-brain thinking leads to materialism and an inability to comprehend supernaturally inclined phenomena (see, for instance, Richard Dawkins). Excessive dominance of left-brain thinking leads to a detachment from the physical world and a tendency to be ‘away with the fairies’ (see, for instance, Syd Barrett). The human brain is at its healthiest when the individual chooses to engage both its hemispheres equally.

Hemispheres depicts students gathered around a campfire, while the tutor – an extension of the fire – attempts to indoctrinate them with academic trifles. But the students are too independent-minded not to rebel; by engaging their right hemisphere also, balance reigns supreme.