TRUE NORTH

by Mel Ohlinger

This painting takes its name from the fixed point of geographic north—the North Pole. Unlike magnetic north, which shifts over time as the Earth’s magnetic field changes, True North represents a stable, enduring direction. Today, we orient ourselves north with a compass, but in the ancient world, orientation was tied to the east. The sun, moon, planets, and stars all rise in the east and set in the west, making the east symbolic of beginnings, the future, and enlightenment, while the west symbolized endings and darkness.

As human knowledge evolved, orientation shifted from east to north. The North Star became a symbol of permanence and the eternal, guiding travelers and serving as a metaphor for God and truth. Yet much of history and spiritual tradition still places the deepest reverence on the east as the place of renewal and sacred beginnings.

My goal with this painting is to weave ancient symbolism into a form that speaks to modern viewers. While we no longer look to the east as our spiritual compass, we still seek direction. To live wisely, to be a cultured person, and to pursue a moral life is to orient ourselves toward truth itself—to set our course by True North.

Side note: This piece is extremely difficult to capture in photographs due to its heavy use of metallic gold. It has a luminosity that can only be appreciated in person. Please contact me directly if you would like to see it firsthand.