Mysticism in the ‘Burbs

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Uncovering the Mystical Suburbia: Duncan Simcoe's Night Visions Exhibition

Duncan Simcoe's current Night Visions exhibition at Westmont's Ridley-Tree Museum of Art might initially appear to present commonplace suburban scenes, but a closer look reveals a world of mysticism and spiritual exploration bubbling beneath the surface. The artist's unique medium of painting and drawing on tar paper, coupled with his intriguing artistic messaging, invite viewers to embark on a journey of contemplation and discovery.

Unveiling the Hidden Secrets of Suburbia

The Mystique of "Mythinburbia"

Simcoe's "Mythinburbia" series is a captivating exploration of the seemingly mundane suburban landscape, imbuing it with a sense of cosmic mystery. His flinty linear drawings of cookie-cutter tract houses take on an architectural drawing-like quality, but with an ethereal, irradiated quality that suggests a deeper spiritual dimension. The series blends the familiar with the apparitional, inviting viewers to ponder the hidden layers of meaning beneath the surface of suburban life.In "#17 (Fire Starter)," Simcoe blends a generic ranch house with an inset image of the artist's late wife, creating a poignant juxtaposition that resonates with the sage wisdom of Bruce Springsteen's observation: "you can't start a fire without a spark." This powerful piece underscores the artist's ability to infuse the commonplace with profound emotional and spiritual undertones.Similarly, in "Mythinburbia #19 (Vice)," the familiar grid of humble homes is flanked by images of a man and woman in a face-off, with a central talismanic image of a large vice floating above, signifying the tension and fixity that can arise within human relationships. Simcoe's masterful use of symbolism and composition invites deeper reflection on the complexities that lie beneath the surface of suburban life.

Means of Conveyance and the Pursuit of Spirituality

Simcoe's fascination with "means of conveyance" extends beyond the physical realm of travel, exploring it as a metaphor for the philosophical and spiritual search for meaning. In the vast "Means of Conveyance (Sailing Ship)" painting, a ghostly vessel appears to slip out of a dream, evoking a sense of the mystical and the ethereal.This interest in spiritual questing is further explored in Simcoe's treatment of the tragic Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 crash in 2014. His piece "Black Box" is a multi-layered memorial, incorporating a triangular form representing the ocean, a plummeting toy airplane, and Persian rug-like stacks of tar paper marked with religious iconography across various faiths. This open-ended, contemplative work invites viewers to ponder the mysteries surrounding the loss of life and the search for answers.

Blending the Sacred and the Secular

Simcoe's artistic vision extends beyond the suburban landscape, delving into the realms of the sacred and the secular. In a dark-lit alcove of the museum, his work "A Distant Mirror: A Meditation on St. Catherine" pays tribute to the martyr Saint Catherine, incorporating a plastic skeleton and his own paintings. This exploration of religious iconography and ritual serves as a counterpoint to his "Rock and Roll" piece, a large, slowly revolving cylinder bearing images of antique cruciform church designs.The juxtaposition of these two pieces suggests Simcoe's interest in the interplay between the sacred and the secular, where the realms of icon worship and ritual converge in unexpected and potentially illuminating ways. This blending of the spiritual and the worldly is a recurring theme throughout Simcoe's work, inviting viewers to reconsider the boundaries between the sacred and the profane.

Racial Violence and the Pursuit of Justice

Simcoe's art also grapples with the harsh realities of racial violence, approaching the subject with a trans-historical perspective. In a work that responds to the post-George Floyd era of heightened awareness, Simcoe does not directly address the murder of George Floyd, but rather interprets a news story photo of a violent protest in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s. This approach lends a deeper recognition of the dark, seemingly unstoppable legacy of racial violence throughout human history, inviting viewers to confront the persistent struggle for justice and equality.Simcoe's ability to weave these complex themes into his art, while maintaining a sense of subtlety and inference, is a testament to his artistic prowess. His work demands close scrutiny and contemplation, challenging viewers to delve beneath the surface and uncover the mysteries and questions that lurk within.