Oneiropraxis –A Vision of Dreams
SARAH MILNE
Oneiropraxis is a fascinating exhibition of oil paintings and drawings by visionary artists Melissa Shemanna and Orryelle Defenestrate Bascule, currently on show at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.
Oli Rogers, the curator, opened the show with an intriguing talk on ‘Visionary Art and the World Soul,’ which placed the art perfectly in its spiritual, philosophical and historical context.
Oneiropraxis means ‘dream logic’ and, in their works, the artists give visual form to the dreams and visions received during sleep, and/or periods of altered or enhanced awareness and consciousness. The Oneiroi were believed by the ancient Greeks to be the bringers of both dreams and a view into the divine realm. Praxis means using what has been learned, making it logical and real. Oneiropraxis is the practice of using dreams and visions, of taking what has been seen, what has been learned and giving it form in the material world. Melissa and Orryelle create their art from a practice of conscious, lucid dreaming and bringing their visions into reality through painting, drawing them into physical form.
The resulting work is a surreal blend of abstraction and imagery that feels simultaneously surprising and alien, deeply familiar and comforting. It depicts a world where symbols, themes and characters of ancient myths, civilisations, religions and esoteric traditions across time and culture merge in a beautiful and captivating way.
In his talk, Oli Rogers proposed that visionary art is the truest form of art. He likened practitioners to travel journalists, going where most of us have not been to – states and places that, on our usual level of worldly consciousness, we have no access to, then painting a view of the things they find there for viewers to engage with and learn from.
Through visionary art, we glimpse the fantastical and supernatural world of the divine. We start to understand the shared unconsciousness and the archetypes proposed by Carl Jung, and the ancient ideas of imagination and the muse.
On the surface, Melissa and Orryelle’s work is a visual delight with mesmerising layers and details to explore and marvel at. For those not well versed in the history of exploring altered states of mind, dream work and visionary practice, I would strongly recommend listening to Oli’s talk before visiting the show to help you experience the true depth and meaning of what you will see there.
Oneiropraxis is at Hastings Museum until 29 October. On 27 October, Orryelle and Melissa will return in person to lead performances and a guided visualisation, a journey through their work.
Further information, tickets and the link to Oli Rogers’ introduction to the exhibition can be found at hmag.org.uk/event/the-bliss-of-new-tongues-and-eyes/
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