Mark Tansey's work in the 1980s is emblematic of his deep engagement with postmodern critique, a period during which he established his unique approach to painting that combined meticulous technique with intellectual exploration. Tansey's work from this time is characterized by its layered, monochromatic imagery and a keen interest in challenging traditional narratives and exploring the interplay between different realities.

Tansey's paintings from the 1980s, such as "Veil" (1987), marked a radical departure from the prevalent styles of abstract and conceptual art of the late 1970s. These works are known for their dense, layered compositions and became Tansey's signature style. He expertly rendered fictive narratives drawing upon a range of sources spanning art history, critical theory, and philosophy. In "Veil", for example, Tansey creates a dramatic tableau vivant, staging his figures in a manner reminiscent of 19th-century Old Master painters like Théodore Géricault, against a dense, turquoise blue backdrop, exploring themes like Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, about human perception and the notion of true reality​ (Sothebys.com)​.

Central to Tansey’s practice during this time was the exploration of the role of pictorial representation in modern painting. His works envelop the viewer in intricate scenes rooted in everyday or historical settings. Tansey's technique involved using appropriated photographic imagery to develop his compositions, derived from an extensive archive of carefully catalogued photographic images. This method allowed him to construct his own virtual reality from found imagery. He began his paintings by applying a heavily gessoed ground to the canvas and then adding layers of paint, which he would carve away with various tools. This additive and reductive method was akin to both drawing and sculpting, emphasizing the importance of light, texture, and tonal values in the construction of the image​ (Sothebys.com)​.

Tansey’s postmodern critique extends beyond technique to encompass a philosophical inquiry into the nature of art and reality. He describes his work as based on the idea that the painted picture knows itself to be "metaphorical, rhetorical, transformational, fictional." Tansey's narratives, as seen in his paintings, never actually occurred, offering instead a meditation on how different realities interact and abrade. This approach reflects a broader postmodern sensibility, challenging singular narratives and embracing multiplicity and contradiction​ (Sothebys.com)​​ (Sothebys.com)​.

By the 1980s, Tansey had firmly established a style that was both visually captivating and intellectually rigorous, marking him as a critical figure in the discussions of postmodern art. His works from this period continue to invite viewers to reconsider their perceptions of reality, art, and the narratives that bind them.