Pipe series

In his famous painting 'La Trahison des Images (Ceci n'est pas une pipe)' [The Treachery of Images (This is not a pipe)], Rene' Magritte explores the issues of symbolism, identity, and perceptual reality by creating a symbol of a pipe (the painting) and then labeling the image of the pipe "This is not a pipe"... revealing to the viewers that we are being tricked. We are deceived not so much by our eyes or by the illusion, but by the mind's ability to refer to and identify symbols with objects, to conceptualize reality. The artist accepts the challenge: to create a painting that engages the viewer, and with the artisan's flair, to trick us into waking up and seeing ourselves and our world a little differently...the artist is playing the role of trickster or shaman.
"This is an on-going series. My intention is to explore Magritte's visual pun from the painter's perspective ... and to explore the artistic compulsion to invent, or to re-invent images in creative and expressive ways. With this series I am exploring a wide range of painting styles and techniques, and having some fun painting in the manner of many of my favorite artists. For a painter this is like a musician performing his favorite tune and adding his own variations on the theme. " -RQ 

What is the essence of an object? What is the essence of a symbol of an object? How does the creation of a symbol contribute to our understanding of the object? ... or of ourselves? Can creative expression bridge the gap between the observer and his experience of the observed? Does the looking and interpreting reveal more about the object, or about the viewer of the object? How many different ways are there to express an idea about reality (the symbol)? Does this creative interpretation add to what we know about the nature of reality (the object)? ...or our perception of reality (the observer)?  At what point does the creative process transcend the object's "pipeness"? How many times can a pipe be expressed before its "pipeness" is revealed?

"Is it a pipe...yet?"- RQ

Paintings not marked as 'SOLD' (mouse-over) may be purchased for $300.00.
Pipe paintings may be commissioned for $500.00.
All paintings available as giclee-prints.
Contact the artist for details. e-mail