Overturning Platonism at studio1.1 should come naturally. Freidriche Nietzsche championed art – evidence of our engagement with the sensual. According to Greek philosopher Plato, art is one of the least worthy aspects of human making. It is ‘mimesis’. The crafts-person has a higher place in society compared with artists. In Platonic social order, women, labourers and slaves are also given low status.
Plato seeks stasis, certainty, fixity. The German philosopher (Nietzsche) suggested overturning Platonism, advocating change, flux and flow. Nietzsche champions instinct and the body over the intellect.
Hatha yoga derives from Tantric roots, favouring non-dualism (dualism implies the separation of ourselves from brahman or universal intelligence). By performing Sirsasana (the head-stand) we are overturning Platonism, so to speak. The intellect and all things associated with it, is stood on it’s head.
Alan Dedman uses the asana for therapeutic and spiritual purposes; he once gave a lecture titled ‘The headstand lecture’ whilst holding the pose. Illustrating an overturning of Platonism. All words uttered by Dedman during the headstand lecture occurred in a completely upside down way!
Additionally, the Sahasrara or crown chakra (energy centre) is brought to earth. The cranium and brain are forcibly rested on the ground. The yogin gets a worm’s eye view.
‘Unnamable … signed SANTA‘ at studio1.1 gallery, had the honour of a visit from Professor Alexander Prescott-Couch, an academic currently at Oxford University. Professor Couch specialises in Nietzschean philosophy. In deference, it seemed fitting to perform Sirsasana in Shoreditch.
Dedman’s thermal (no pun intended) drawings are a subtle reversal of Classic values. His work originates from centuries of tradition. Alan attended the Royal Aacdemy Schools in London, where students were obliged to work from life (the nude).
These drawings of human form, are in fact a reversal of conventional technique. They have been made using heat sensitive paper, a soldering iron and heated iron filings. Normally, drawing incorporates pushing graphite into paper; paper is made from cotton and/or wood pulp.
Thermal drawing induces a chemical reaction in the surface, effectively turning ‘virgin white paper’ into the drawing medium itself. The paper ‘gives birth’ to the mark.
To draw with a pencil requires co-ordination of eye and brain, relying on psychomotor skills; fine tuning of proprioreceptors. Creating marks with thermal drawing requires a different approach, almost like dowsing. There is no opportunity for correction. The process is finite, requiring certainty.
studio1.1gallery currently shows two thermal drawings of the reclining nude by Alan Dedman. Beautifully framed, well presented in an exhibition bringing together potentially disparate elements amongst the gallery’s membership.
They are for sale at £375.00 each. If you would like to purchase one or both of these artworks, please leave a message on the contact form below or call at 57a, Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London E2. The exhibition runs until the 4th of January, 2026.
Photos and video by Alan Dedman