A Maze and A Mystery
Lee Shu Hui
Poster colour on paper
2010

This painting shows a crystal ball emitting light in the midst of darkness. In the crystal ball, blocks of colour are put together, forming a maze. Above it is a pair of hands, held in the fashion of a gypsy foretelling the future.

Rough, choppy brushwork have been used to depict the subject matter. Composition is evenly spread out throughout the painting. Complementary colours, such as red and green, attracts the viewer's eye to the center of the painting. Striking colours linked to the red and green, placed toward subject matter around the crystal ball, initiate and allow for eye movement around the painting. Contrasting colours like black and white have been used, so that light in the painting will stand out to the viewer's eye. The hands depicted in the painting seem to be coming out of nowhere, due to the blending in of the upper arms to the background, which gives off a mysterious feel to the subject matter. The colours in the crystal ball are mostly warm colours, adding a touch of vibrance to the painting.

The artwork communicates a sense of mystery and a mix of emotions such as a distant coldness and, at the same time, vibrance. This is to symbolise the different aspects of light, where in the painting only a few perspectives have been given. The mysterious feel, achieved by the dark and murky background and the use of a crystal ball as a subject matter, could be an example of how alluring and magical light can be, while the maze of colours symbolises the many different uses and shades of light. Its vibrant contrast to the murky and dull background could suggest light in the form of revelation in the midst of ignorance.