Christopher Martin’s
Question (2018) distills profound philosophical inquiry into the simplest of symbols — a bold, black question mark hovering above a stylized skull. Rendered on a white linen scroll with minimalist precision, the work merges contemporary visual language with the meditative poise of traditional scroll painting. The composition’s stark contrast between black and white evokes clarity and contemplation, inviting viewers to pause and consider the meaning that lies within uncertainty itself.
The pairing of the question mark and skull — one representing inquiry, the other mortality — forms a dialogue between curiosity and impermanence. Martin presents the act of questioning not as a pursuit of answers, but as an existential state: to question is to live, to doubt is to awaken. The skull anchors the symbol in human experience, transforming what could be a graphic emblem into a memento mori — a reminder of life’s brevity and the value of conscious reflection.
In Question, Martin’s aesthetic restraint amplifies his conceptual depth. The absence of color and ornamentation directs focus toward form, balance, and meaning. The work’s scroll format suggests continuity — an unrolling of thought and time — while the imagery resonates with the artist’s ongoing exploration of non-attachment, mindfulness, and the intersection between spiritual awareness and visual art.
At once enigmatic and direct, Question embodies Martin’s belief that art can serve as both mirror and meditation. It is a visual koan — an invitation to embrace not-knowing, to dwell in the space between inquiry and understanding, and to recognize that perhaps the question itself is the answer.
