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stephen linsteadt

Thought Forms on the Edge  I  Stephen Linsteadt

Thought Forms on the Edge, oil on canvas, 150 x 120 cm, 2023 - $4000

My work is an exploration of the Mironian space of form and fantasy -- a liminal terrain where the visible and the invisible coalesce, and where ornament becomes ontology. Drawing inspiration from the fractal nature of our physical reality, I use pattern as both language and lens. The shapes I employ -- floral, symmetrical, chaotic—are not merely decorative; they are mnemonic devices, echoes of a deeper geometry that underpins our shared existence.

In this series, vibrant motifs reminiscent of damask traditions are recontextualized through a contemporary lens, smeared and dripped to disrupt their symmetry and suggest motion, decay, rebirth. These gestures are intentional ruptures, inviting the viewer to question the stability of perception. What do we see when we look at a pattern? A flower? A system? A memory? And who decides?

The interplay between order and chaos in my compositions reflects the tension between collective and personal worldviews. I challenge the notion that these are separate realms. Our individual perceptions are shaped by cultural patterning, just as our cultures are shaped by the accumulation of individual visions. The boundary is porous, if it exists at all.

Ultimately, my work seeks to dissolve the distinction between what is seen and what lies beyond. It is a call to inhabit the space between -- a space where fantasy is not escape, but revelation.



The strength of Stephen Linsteadt's portfolio lies in its multidisciplinary approach and the multitude of details he playfully incorporates into his canvases. There is also a mastery of color and texture, all contributing to the same universe and palette.

~ Francois Lavaud, Gallery manager at Galerie Artima, Paris


Copyright © 2023 Stephen Linsteadt. All rights reserved.