The Golden Flame

About this work

Rising almost the full height of the frame, the flame is drawn in gold with a dark teal-and-gold feather at its core, like a vein running through the fire. Around it, gold curls flick outward and droplets fall away, giving the shape a restless edge. Below, thin vertical lines descend towards the bottom and quietly balance the upward push. Attention starts at the base, climbs the teal centre and flickers out at the tip. Seen at arm's length, the feathered core shows fine barbs in gold and teal, and the drops look glossy. From further off the whole becomes a single tall blaze on black, warm and lively, with the teal cooling it just enough to keep it elegant rather than fierce.

The subtitle, Ascendant Vitality of the 1.618 Law, refers to the golden ratio. The curve of the flame is drawn on the Fibonacci grid, where each square relates to the next by roughly 1.618 and a spiral can be traced through them. Flames have stood for life and energy in many cultures, from the household hearth to the Olympic torch. Drawing one on a strict proportion is a small paradox, the most changeable of forms held to a fixed measure. The teal seam gives the warm gold a cool centre and keeps it from feeling heavy.

Its upright warmth lifts a narrow wall, a staircase or the bare space over a mantelpiece. Walls in deep teal, black or charcoal pick up the feathered core and make the gold glow; on warm white it feels lighter. A slim brushed-brass frame suits it, or dark bronze if the room has iron or stone. Firelight and warm lamps flatter the gold, and low evening light makes the droplets flicker. It also works smaller in a hallway alcove. From Golden Fibonacci, The Sovereign Garden would keep it company, as would Depth and Gold Resonance. At about 9,000 px on the long edge it prints sharply to roughly 76 cm at 300 dpi.