James Surls, The Splendora Years

"An equally phallic form rises from a simple house form in Night Vision. Here, the personage with glowing eyes takes on a slightly ominous look and in fact, one critic described the work as 'beautifully horrific.' But in fact, as Surls points out, its sense of ferocious potency is tempered by other details—the five pointed flower in one of its hands and the second blossom sprouting out of its ear. ...the house/chopping block becomes itself a metaphor for the sexual union of male and female, again pointing to the dual forces which come together to create a home. Meanwhile, the work's title refers to the special nighttime state of mind when visions and inspirations over take the soul."

-Eleanor Heartney, from Splendora: A Love Story in the publication "James Surls: The Splendora Years, 1977-1997."


	Night Vision 1980 Pine, oak, sweet gum root 91 x 48 x 42 in 231.1 x 121.9 x 106.7 cm Collection L.A. Louver Gallery, Venice, California "An equally phallic form rises from a simple house form in Night Vision. Here, the personage with glowing eyes takes on a slightly ominous look and in fact, one critic described the work as 'beautifully horrific.' But in fact, as Surls points out, its sense of ferocious potency is tempered by other details—the five pointed flower in one of its hands and the second blossom sprouting out of its ear. ...the house/chopping block becomes itself a metaphor for the sexual union of male and female, again pointing to the dual forces which come together to create a home. Meanwhile, the work's title refers to the special nighttime state of mind when visions and inspirations over take the soul." -Eleanor Heartney, from Splendora: A Love Story in the publication "James Surls: The Splendora Years, 1977-1997."