In the 2000s, Mark Tansey continued to explore and deepen his interest in the intricacies of perception, reality, and representation through his signature monochromatic, and sometimes ultramarine, canvases. Tansey's work is characterized by his unique approach to painting, combining a near-photographic precision with a depth of conceptual inquiry. His paintings often present surreal, meticulously detailed landscapes and scenes that invite viewers to question the nature of reality and the process of perception. One of Tansey’s notable works from this period is "Installing the Lens" (1993), which delves into the blurred boundaries between reality and representation, drawing inspiration from Plato’s "Allegory of the Cave." The painting features anonymous laborers within a tunnel, engaging with themes of sight and the nature of reality, rendered in a captivating cerulean palette​ (Sothebys.com)​. By the late 2000s and into the 2010s and 2020s, Tansey continued to evolve his practice. Works like "Reverb" (2017) and "Xing" (2021) showcase his ongoing fascination with reflection and shadow, employing intricate mirroring and inversion to challenge and engage the viewer's perception. "Reverb" features a conversation between a formally dressed man and woman in front of an array of portraits, employing haunting visual echoes to allude to the aural phenomenon of reverberation​ (Gagosian)​​ (Gagosian)​. Tansey’s exhibition at Gagosian in 2021, featuring paintings and drawings made over six years, further illustrates his meticulous approach to art. His paintings, such as "Spinner" (2015) and "Chris Cross" (2021), continue to explore complex visual narratives that blur the lines between historical periods and spatial orientations, through his distinctive subtractive painting process and use of graphite mixed with water or oil for his drawings​ (Gagosian)​. Mark Tansey’s work from the 2000s onwards encapsulates a continuous exploration of the philosophical and perceptual questions that have always underpinned his art. Through his complex, layered images, Tansey invites viewers into a reflective dialogue with the visual and conceptual dimensions of reality, perception, and the nature of artistic representation.