The Knot Untied

The Knot Untied

Oil paint on canvas board

Size: 50.5 x 40.5 x 2cm

Framed: 82 x 46.5 x 4cm

In 2013, a few years after my marriage unravelled, I rediscovered a large calligraphy brush and a traditional Chinese seal, a gift from my former wife’s parents in happier times. The seal, representing our initials in Chinese characters, inspired a late-night YouTube binge on Chinese calligraphy, leading me to try my hand at it.

What emerged was “The Knot Untied,” a piece that surprised me with its simplicity, power, and cathartic effect. It was only upon reflection that I understood its true origins and symbolism. It was a visual metaphor for the untying of my marriage, the energetic swirls of thick, impastoed paint, an emotional release and transformation.

The painting features the seal impression as a reminder that, even though the knot of marriage had been untied, the bonds of family, friendship, and love endure.