I’ve always been interested in the meaning of signs, particularly when they point to something else. I’m not just talking about road signs. Rather, I’m talking about the way there seems to be an entire world of meaning – both obvious and not so obvious – between words and what they refer to. I learned in university that the study of signs is called ‘semiotics,’ and that for each sign there is a ‘signifier’ and a ‘signified.’ The Sign is one of my favourite paintings for its insight into how meaning is made and shared. This post is about the ideas that are evoked by this contemporary work of art.
An Interesting Backstory
I often use photographic reference material for my paintings, and The Sign is no exception. In this case, the source material for this painting comes from a mission trip I took to Mexico. While we were in Mexico, I lived with a family in a slum near the airport in Merida. We spent about ten days building a school and, one day, while we were waiting for materials, we decided to erect a basketball net. That’s the connection with the figures on the upper left of the painting. After the work week was over, we toured the Yucatán for a few days, and one of our stops was at Chichén Itzá. Built by the Mayans, and thought to be occupied between 600 and 1,200 AD, this archaeological site features a very large temple pyramid. We climbed it, and while we were on the top, we struck a pose for the camera. That’s the connection with the figure on the bottom of the painting.
Timothy deVries, “The Sign,” 2008. House-paint and Acrylic on Canvas, 48″ x 42″ inches (Artwork © Timothy deVries; photograph by Timothy deVries)
Assembling Significant Elements
This painting was made at a time when I was very interested in the art of composition. Determined to compose a painting out of personal source material, I was not really thinking of the final impression, only the process of constructing the image. The idea was that the figures would be engrossed in some activity or another. After scouring my photo albums, I found these particular figures to be quite interesting separately, and even more interesting together. The elements of the composition were sketched with simplified forms and painted with bold colours. The main liberty I took was that of adding a graphic to the yellow ‘sign’. My initial effort didn’t feel complete, and over the years, I’ve repainted this work probably five or six times. Each time I worked on this painting I grew to like it more. I think it’s because though the painting came together unconsciously, it still feels spontaneous. This combination felt very meaningful to me.
The Growth of Meaning
There is a circular mystery at the heart of this painting. The figure at the bottom of the painting is gesturing toward what I understand to be a person outside of the frame. This person observes the sign, just as a viewer of the painting observes both the sign and the pointing figure. What is interesting about this viewer-observer is that their interpretation of the sign is itself a sign. Otherwise, why would the figure be pointing at them? They are responding or reacting to the sign in a way that has drawn the pointing finger of the figure at the bottom. This circular mystery confirms not only that signs are meaningful, but that in responding or reacting to that meaning we ourselves become a sign. I suspect a lot of people come to this realization in their lives, which explains why our culture counts it wise to conceal what you really think. In this regard, signs present an invitation to consider what is beautiful, what is likely, and what is true.
Collector’s Tips
This piece is being offered for purchase at $1,260 and can be viewed by appointment in my home studio near Hamilton, Ontario. It measures 48’ x 42’ inches and comes unframed; a professionally made oak floating frame in one of various finishes can be purchased and installed at an extra cost. The painting was made in 2008 with house-paint and acrylic on canvas. With its bold colours and active figures, this painting would look great in your living room, great room or rec-room.
The Allusive Nature of Signs
The Sign evokes questions and ideas about the nature and purpose of human activity. What is the viewer-observer to understand from this painting? Something is going on in this picture, and it seems important. The questions here are more important than the answers. I’m thrilled that this painting arose from an unconscious process of composition to present personal source material in an intriguing way. If this piece resonates with you, I invite you to share your thoughts with me via email or on Instagram.
Interested in adding this piece to your collection? Contact me.