"Correction" hits a nerve

06/05/10

The Hypnagogia Series wound down to an end mid-April of 2010 for Chris O'Hoski.

A total of roughly 25 paintings currently make up the artist's series. Some are portraits, others full figures, and many introduce objects and recognizable symbols within the work.

One painting which seems to stick out in some minds is "Correction". An image of a man with a "drill" seeming to penetrate the bottom of his chin and coming through his mouth.

While the image can be seen on many sites including www.chrisohoski.com, it seems to have caused the most debate on an Australian website for artists who wish to share or receive feedback on their work.

A larger website in India banned the artist from showing any work after the painting was posted.

One direct quote from an artist from the Netherlands said simply:





"Technically it is very well done,
But i can't help wondering, for whatever reason did you paint this?
Is it just to shock people and then get their attention?
Or is there a more deaper meaning to this...
I cant say this pleases me, or say something like "WOW ITS GREAT!
The truth is, i think it's rather sick..
But I do wonder whats behind all this...
Still (whatever...) it's a very good piece of work"

O'Hoski says the painting was never meant to reflect anything violent. If anything, like the rest of the series, the work is symbolic.

"We have dreams that we can never quite figure out the meaning to. We question our sanity, or wonder if there's a different meaning to them. Are they prophetic or representational of the deepest fears we've yet to discover within ourselves".

To the artist, Correction is merely a statement against vanity and perfection. The work is purposely engaging, and "one of the ways to compete with major technological media".