The painting at * http://www.artquotes.net/artists/keck/abstract-painting3.html evokes a feeling of violent movement: possible escape, probable pursuit. The red figure moves from the right, out of what appears to be a jungle of sorts, towards a tower at the left. From right to left, the shape's "back" has three jags on it, to illustrate movement (as in the common character for lightning). These bumps could also be the scales of a dragon, or maybe even raised hairs of sorts, like on a cat, which would show aggression, alertness. To the left of the third spike is another, more flat, one. This is either another result of movement as the malevolent form rushes towards civilization, or the ear of the dragon, lowered in the same manner dogs exhibit while combating each other. To the left of this: an upward "swooping" slash of lighter color. Is this figure pure fire or a creatures with slanted, concentrated eyes? I say the latter. Below the "ear" is another jag, the assumed chin or jowl, and to the far left of the form is a rounded part on top and a circular void below, perfect size for a mouth that is preparing to unleash a powerful force from within (and it is in this void that the lightest shade of yellow originates).
Clouds of fire emanate from the creature's back as smoke from the charred forests left behind are caught below the beast, sucked into the rush of air. This monster is clearly one of fire. Fire was discovered and harnessed by man. Man tears down forests and does what suits him best with the earth that is meant for all living creatures. The shape at the left of the image is clearly man-made, indicated by the intricacies of the stone and the small towers at the top of this larger. Perhaps the creature's motivation for charging so fiercely is to end the tyrannical reign of man, to save what is left of it's earth (ironically burning some of the most precious resources in the process (all wars suffer casualties)). The colors in this image (parchment yellow, charcoal black, vivid red and moss green) suggest some Asian influence, as does the nature of the building. Asian countries are some of the most polluted on the earth. The illustrator might have meant for this to be a warning: "The earth (the past, the forces, the ancestors) will take vengeance upon you for destroying this planet... brutally."
This painting is divided in two vertically. Maybe this is because the image took up two canvasses but maybe this was intentional. Looking at the left half alone, the proposed meaning of this image (a cry to end, or, at least, limit, pollution) cannot be. Without the forest and the entire length shown of the red figure, the tower stands alone with a path of blood moving towards it, or possibly a mountain range. The right half of the image still shows fire leaping forth (the red shape is wider at the far right end) from the jungle, but with no visible target. The forest could still be taking action against some unknown force. A fire started by man may be rejected from the forest, it shoving the flames back towards the creators.
However this picture is broken down, a slight feeling of uneasiness creeps into the viewer. The manifestation of man (the tower) looks so insignificant when compared to the vibrant shape of red hurtling towards it. The edifice is even slightly curved where the cloud of orange impacts. Man may have dominated and taken control of the earth, but the earth has the power to overthrow us whenever it so desires.
* During the composition of this journal, the URL from which I gathered this image, a website that sells art pieces, ceased to exist; the art piece this journal is about was sold or moved. So I included the image in this post, but kept the original link.
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