Silent Witness

Explore Gathered in Passing, a textured figurative painting by Irish artist Anthony Carey examining separation, belonging and psychological distance.
  • Detail of Silent Witness showing the fragmented figure’s face and upper body built from thick multicoloured paint against a heavily textured red surface.

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  • Surface detail of Silent Witness showing layered red plaster and paint interrupted by vertical passages of turquoise, pink, orange and dark blue.

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About the work

Silent Witness began with the suggestion of several possible figures emerging through acrylic and plaster, but I developed only one. The remaining figure stands alone beneath a pale circular light, surrounded by an expanse of red.


The title came from thinking about what the natural world might have witnessed across time. The moon and sky remain above us, seeing things that they will never disclose. I do not remain silent about everything I witness, but they have no such choice. Whatever they hold remains beyond our reach.


The figure appears almost cast in the moon’s eerie light. Although it stands alone, I do not see it as entirely abandoned. The light seems to acknowledge its presence, as though the moon were quietly saying: I see you. You are not alone


Artwork details
2026
Acrylic, plaster, silicone and mesh on canvas
30 × 40 cm
Currently unavailable for acquisition