Star Wars: Equation (2022)

Oil on canvas - 100x100cm

Growing up, my mum was keen to send us to the best school she could, hoping to provide us with a way out of our tough surroundings. It was a strict and highly religious Catholic boys' school. Grappling with the loss of my father and the pain it brought, this environment was supposed to offer solace, yet I struggled to reconcile the school’s teachings, a seemingly indifferent God and the empirical lens through which I viewed the world.

Like almost everyone else my age, I loved Star Wars, and I was particularly  captivated by the 'Force'. It pointed to other forms of spirituality, separate from religion — a search for connection with something bigger than myself, but without the need for a religion. Unlike the punitive and often distant God I was taught about at school, this appealed to both my imagination and my rational mind. At university, a philosophy of science class opened my eyes to how little we actually know about anything. It was pretty humbling, raising further questions about existence and our place within it.

This piece, by referencing the Force, and the physics equation 'Force = mass x acceleration', is a lighthearted nod to the dialogue between science and spirituality, challenging the notion that they must exist in opposition. This artwork is not just a tribute to a beloved film saga; it’s an invitation to view the world through a lens where the two coexist, each lending depth to our understanding of the universe. In the grand scheme of things, maintaining an open mind seems not just sensible, but necessary. As we unravel more about the cosmos, who knows what truths we might uncover?

Extra Information: 

The 'Force' in Star Wars was inspired by a mixture of philosophical and spiritual ideas. Influenced by the work of Joseph Campbell, George Lucas combined elements from Eastern religions, which often emphasise an interconnected universe, with Western philosophies that focus on the dualities of good vs. evil. Lucas envisioned the Force as a binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power in the universe, sparking discussions on the interplay between science, religion, and morality in the saga.