Light Above

In Light Above, Bill Bate continues his exploration of the human form as it interacts with the transformative properties of light and water. As a companion to the series, this oil painting presents a pair of figures suspended in a luminous, aquatic verticality. The composition shifts toward an ethereal emerald and deep indigo palette, suggesting a moment of quiet ascension or a descent into a serene, private depth.

Bate’s mastery lies in his ability to translate the tactile into the atmospheric. The figures are not rendered with rigid lines but emerge through layers of translucent oil paint, their silhouettes softened by the medium. Shimmering accents of pale yellow and gold cling to the contours of their bodies, mimicking the caustic patterns of light dancing through a liquid lens. This visual language emphasizes a sense of "shimmering absence," where the physical weight of the body is traded for a spiritual, weightless presence.

Light Above serves as a meditation on connection and solitude. The proximity of the figures suggests a shared journey, yet the hazy, painterly execution keeps them feeling beautifully elusive. It is a captivating work that captures a suspended reality, making the fleeting nature of light and memory feel both permanent and profound.

122 x 92 cm unframed canvas