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THE EVOCATION OF EMOTIONAL RESPONSE

The art of Stephen Mueller is an exploration of the visual communicative process at levels that can affect the internal balance of the viewer. Mueller, an accomplished painter and a former professional photographer, uses his complex linear designs as a means of bringing about increased spiritual harmony and emotional balance in those who directly experience his imagery. While Mueller’s approach may seem at first glance to be related to New Age theory, the reality is that the artist’s concept is well researched and documented, and supported by significant scientific research.

Mueller has had considerable experience creating powerful visual and emotional response through his prior work in photography and painting. But in this new body of work he is reaching out at a level that extends considerably beyond the visible spectrum. His interest is concentrated on the universal elements of frequency, pattern, and wavelength. In one sense, Mueller’s work could be considered to be symbolic – but only in the context that his symbols consist of the various geometric patterns and frequencies that visually mimic what is actually in play at the at the quantum level, where all things are a function of light.

The artist believes that when properly organized and interconnected, various patterns and frequencies, colors and wavelengths, may be used to enhance the therapeutic aspects of visual perception. This process represents a means of more fully integrating ourselves into our proper place in the universe. The way to achieve this comes through the conscious choice to surround ourselves with things that will help to complete us as human beings.

Mueller cites Piet Mondrian as one of his primary artistic influences. During the early 20th century, Mondrian and his contemporaries sought to express a utopian ideal through their art. This ideal was the concept of spiritual harmony. Mondrian’s approach to creating this effect was to reduce visual complexity as a means of perfecting visual balance in the image. He limited his compositions to the use of only white, black, and three primary colors. It is likely that these nascent visual explorations led Mondrian to an inadvertent discovery of harmonic balance and the therapeutic effects of color and light waves.

While Stephen Mueller’s work today is far more complex and layered in its depiction of harmonic frequency and pattern, the approach is remarkably in line with Mondrian’s nearly a century ago. And the effects are essentially the same. In their respective artistic explorations, Mondrian and Mueller reached the same conclusion: art can be used to create certain reactive aspects that are essentially therapeutic in nature, eliciting harmony, energy, calm, introspection, and above all, intellectual stimulus.

Stephen Mueller is an artist who is doing interesting and exciting work. In his artistic explorations, he continues to produce remarkable imagery that has the potential to affect all of those who have the opportunity to experience it.

-- PARADIGM ARTS GROUP

  To read an interview with the artist, click here.

  To view recent work, visit the Artworks Page.

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