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Colour Conundrum combines the interests and working practices of artists Jonathan Gilhooly and Stig Evans. Drawing upon optical illusion, perceptual psychology, conjuring techniques and colour theory, the two artists have devised a responsive artwork that functions as both heuristic tool and interactive game.

Object of the Game

The participant is informed that at least two of the coloured cards (that is, the pastel-coloured, not the primary-coloured red, yellow, blue ones) are a matching pair, and is asked to select whichsoever two they believe to be a match. Now evidently, one's perception may be influenced by many factors in this instance not least by the lighting inside the cabinet and by reflected hues from the closely situated primary coloured cards but notwithstanding these dilemmas, once the player has decided, her choice of cards are sealed within an envelope.

Proceeding to the other side of the cabinet, the envelope is now opened to reveal the truth, or otherwise, of the player's acuity. She is now offered a second chance to match the two chosen cards with a pair from this second cabinet display, by which time it may be conjectured that some sort of deception or legerdemain is being perpetrated: upon this matter, however, we could not possibly remark.

Colour Conundrum origins of a parlour game

Charles Albert Keeley (1821-89), the son of a Bristol clergyman, was an inventor and amateur scientist who is thought to be the originator of Colour