A New Way of Approaching the Absolute through Art: The Sacred Mirrors of Alex Grey

Abstract

A connection with the viewer is a crucial aspect of art which addresses the spiritual. In order for this type of art to be successful, it must transform its viewer, enabling them to see the ultimate truth, of the Absolute nature of all things. Contemporary artist Alex Grey sees himself as a visionary, believing that the purpose of his art is to reunite humanity with its own collective spirituality--to help people realize their true nondual nature and interconnectedness. The spiritual aspect of Grey's art places him in the tradition of twentieth-century abstract artists, such as Kandinsky and the American Abstract Expressionists. This thesis examines how Grey employs innovative methods to ensure communication with the viewer, surpassing the efforts of abstraction, and creating a new spiritual art that has the potential to even more powerfully affect the receptive viewer.