PRINTS
- ASHES AND EARTH
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ASHES
AND EARTH
These
four women embody some of the physical, emotional and
mystical aspects of a journey inside and around the perimeters
of death. They are midwives of dying and bereavement;
of lament and funerary ritual; of hope and the restoration
of life. With their bodies these women form gateways into
the silent lands, a hidden landscape where the dead journey
onwards and the bereaved wander through the chaotic anguish
of mourning. They embrace the magnitude and subtleties
of death, all the grief, struggle, brutality, fear, disconnection,
yearning, wonder, revelation, release and kindness to
be found in the silent lands… as well as an extraordinary
stark and exquisite beauty. They are shaped by the four
aspects of the moon (red, white, black and unseen) as
she moves through her constant journey, a rhythmic ebb
and flow that informs our understanding and enriches our
experience of changing, ageing and the turns of life.
Around the circle road, death is of course not the end
but the prelude to a new beginning that in turn journeys
towards another death. So our moon holds light and dark
continually at play. We are not witness to a more profound
enactment of the mysteries of disintegration, death, rest
and restoration. With every cycle the dark inhabits the
moon, and each time out of darkness swells the powerful
light. These women stand on the circle road, custodians
of non-linear time and catalysts through which change
creeps and crashes.
This
series was painted between 2006-2008 then exhibited as
installations during 2008-2009. The album CAVE OF ELDERS,
although not recorded specifically for this cycle of work,
is a good soundtrack to a journey with these women. The
original paintings are 7 ft/210 cms high x 3 ft/90 cms
wide, acryllic on board with printed linen text. The prints
are on A4 (31x21 cms) heavy art card.
SOLITUDE
/ the Dissolving Woman and the burden of wounds.
Sister Moon comes clothed in black, the dying night
laid on her hands
love is left when the pain’s rolled back as
the circle road moves on… |
|
SILENCE
/ the Hollowing Woman and the restoration of grace.
Sister Moon comes but unseen, time dissolving through
her eyes
lonely witness to what has been as the circle road
moves on… |
|
HOPE
/ the Bleeding Woman and the gift of shrouds.
Sister Moon comes clothed in red, new dreams gathered
to her breast
drawing hope from her fertile bed as the circle road
moves on… |
|
LAMENT
/ the Illuminating Woman and the blessing of songs.
Sister Moon comes clothed in white, life held strong
within her arms
all will mend by her powerful light as the circle
road moves on… |
|
| Complete
set of four Ashes and Earth prints |
|
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