Distorted perception of the Present / The silence before the storm

Jan Edlman's Distorted Perception of the Present is a great example of his early work, demonstrating his unique use of color and form to convey intricate emotional states. The composition is an amorphous polygon constructed of horizontal lines. The left side of the polygon is almost spherical, transitioning to a narrow sharp poin on far right, hinting the collapse of Harmony.

In Edlman's artistic lexicon, black symbolizes change and despair. The left side of the piece, beginning in black, represents the initial stage of transformation, laden with a sense of melancholy. This black transitions into blue, which signifies Reason, suggesting the emergence of rational thought amidst change. The blue then shifts to yellow, the color of Hope, forming an abstract image of a human head facing right. This depiction implies a progression from Reason to Hope, a journey through cognitive processes and optimism. As the head transitions into red, symbolizing Emotion or the Heart, it highlights the movement from rationality to emotional engagement.

The right side of the artwork narrows sharply to a point and concludes again in black, indicating the return to a state of change and despair. This cyclical transition from black to color and back to black suggests the ongoing nature of emotional and rational states.

Distorted Perception of the Present encapsulates the artist's view of the present as a blend of despair, hope, reason, and emotion, reflecting on the complexity of human experience. The painting’s title succinctly captures its thematic essence, inviting viewers to contemplate their own emotional and rational journeys in the face of change.