SPRITUAL QUESTIONSM MOVEMENT: ART AS METHOD OF INQUIRY WEEK 2 : DEVELOPING SPRITUAL QUESTIONSM THROUGH INQUIRY

Title: Where Thought Ends

Medium: Oil and Acrylic on Canvas sheet

Size: 297 x 420 mm

Spiritual Questionism Movement: Art as a Method of Inquiry

Week 2: Developing Spiritual Questionism Through Inquiry

This week marked an important stage in the development of my research during the Object01 Residency. After presenting the foundations of Spiritual Questionism in the first workshop, the discussions with other residents generated new questions that have become part of the ongoing development of my project.

Spiritual Questionism is an artistic movement and research methodology that investigates how painting can function as a method of spiritual inquiry into consciousness, existence, and the unseen. Rather than producing fixed conclusions, it approaches painting as a space where questions are generated, explored, and continuously refined.

The discussion following my first presentation encouraged me to think more deeply about the role of symbolism within my practice. Questions emerged about the nature of symbolism, its relationship to interpretation and creation, and whether spiritual inquiry can exist before symbolic expression. Instead of treating these questions as objections, I have adopted them as new directions for research.

As part of this week's development, I expanded my Miro board by adding two new frames. The first documents the research questions that emerged from the workshop discussion together with my current reflections. The second develops symbolism as one of the primary methodologies of Spiritual Questionism.

Images : Frame 5 and 6 based on the ongoing Research.

Within my research, symbolism is not presented as a universal definition that applies to every artistic or spiritual tradition. Instead, I investigate how symbolism functions within the methodological framework of Spiritual Questionism. My current research explores questions such as:

- What is symbolism?

- How does symbolism function in painting?

- Is symbolism created, interpreted, or both?

- What is pre-symbolic experience?

- Can spiritual inquiry exist before symbolic expression?

These questions remain open and continue to guide the development of my paintings, diagrams, and theoretical framework.

Painting remains central to this investigation. Rather than illustrating predetermined meanings, my paintings function as sites of inquiry where symbolic forms emerge through artistic practice, reflection, and dialogue. Each painting becomes part of the research process, allowing spiritual questions to take visual form while remaining open to further interpretation.

This blog documents my current stage of development rather than a completed project. The attached diagrams and painting represent an ongoing process of investigation. As the residency continues, I will continue refining the theoretical framework of Spiritual Questionism alongside the development of new paintings, diagrams, and written research.

The conversations within the residency have reinforced one of the central principles of my practice: inquiry is not a step toward research—it is the research itself. Every new question expands the framework of Spiritual Questionism and opens new possibilities for understanding painting as a method of spiritual inquiry.

Written By Nonso Ekweozor Charles

Father of Spritual Questionism

Visual Artist , Art Researcher and multidisciplinary creator.