Maurizio D’Andrea and the Art of Psychic Abstraction: Exploring the Universal Unconscious!

Maurizio D'Andrea and the Art of Psychic Abstraction: Exploring the Universal Unconscious!
© Maurizio D'Andrea

Maurizio D’Andrea is an abstract painter whose brushes dance between the boundaries of the mind and the deep abyss of the unconscious. His work, infused with collective archetypes and influenced by the teachings of Carl Jung and his “Red Book,” represents a bold immersion into the obscure beauty of the psychic world. D’Andrea doesn’t merely paint pictures; with his brush, he delves into an invisible universe, giving form to that which eludes consciousness but remains central to the human experience. To understand the extraordinary work of Maurizio D’Andrea, we must start with his deep connection to Jung’s theory of archetypes. Archetypes, fundamental elements of the collective unconscious, are primordial forms that permeate the human psyche, influencing our dreams, myths, and cultural symbols. Jung himself described the unconscious as a vast ocean of images, rich in universal meaning. Maurizio D’Andrea, however, doesn’t passively study these archetypes; he boldly captures them on the canvas, exploring the unconscious in a unique and personal way. His painting serves as a bridge between the individual mind and the collective unconscious, aiming to make visible what is hidden. In a world that often seeks to rationalize everything, D’Andrea goes beyond the surface, seeking hidden meaning and universal connection.

D’Andrea embraces the idea that reality itself is a construct of the mind, shaped by the contents of our psychic underworld. This view is rooted in the belief that what lies beneath the surface is often more relevant than what appears evident. The unconscious, with its elusive, uncertain, and deeply articulated contents, is a vital and dominant part of our experiential psyche, even though it often remains invisible.

To reveal the unconscious, D’Andrea uses a symbolic and archetypal pictorial language. (https://www.artmajeur.com/dandreart-info/it/artworks/17124565/mi-r-bb49).

In this process, the painter takes on a role similar to that of an alchemist, working with mysterious energies to evoke and promote the archetypal cores residing in the darkness of the unconscious. This operation requires a form of abstraction in which the subject dissolves into a sea of colors, shapes, and symbols that express the very essence of the unconscious.

Abstraction in painting is not merely a stylistic choice for D’Andrea; it is a response to the inner restlessness that afflicts humanity when faced with the mysteries of the external world. This restlessness drives humans to seek answers that elude rationality, and abstract art becomes a means to explore the sublime and the ineffable. In this quest, the painter embarks on a journey to the castle of the unconscious, confronting the challenges of sterilization and the death of the Self, which represent the peril of losing contact with one’s essence. Self-annihilation is undesirable; D’Andrea acknowledges that we are more than mere biological organisms or automatons. We are a blend of body, mind, and, above all, feeling. In his work, D’Andrea embodies the strength, movement, chaos, and energy of the unconscious that guides human existence. (https://www.artmajeur.com/dandreart-info/it/artworks/16340257/mi-r-bb13) This emergence of the unconscious occurs through vivid colors, dynamic brushstrokes, and an intense and violent representation of hidden forces. The mental landscapes painted by D’Andrea become a kind of mirror of the universal unconscious, a concept dear to Carl Jung. Jung emphasized that “In the depths of every individual, there is a world of symbols and images that connects humanity in a single network of shared experiences.” D’Andrea’s works serve as a bridge between the individual and the universality of the collective unconscious, offering an extraordinary glimpse into a world that often remains concealed. Maurizio D’Andrea’s art has crossed national borders and received recognition worldwide. He has become a reference point in the realm of international abstract art, as his bold and psychic painting offers a profound look into the human unconscious. His work is an invocation to explore the mind and soul, a testament to the infinite complexity and hidden beauty residing in the inner abyss of each of us.

Author site: https://www.dandreart.info