Phantoms & sacred objects
UKG / 1974
From The Author of the Acacia Seeds
and Other Extracts
The works in this collection explore the sacred in everyday objects, which I refer to as Huacas. In Andean culture, Huacas are believed to be inhabited by gods or spirits, and thus are deemed sacred. These places and things are a manifestation of the divine, they bring protection and guidance. They are a source of power, and are seen as a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. The Huaca is a symbol of the profane, and is a reminder of the power of the divine in everyday life.
I render the subjects in these works larger than life, on an empty canvas, in order to emphasize their essence. Some of the works are also presented in a state of suspended motion, to give them a life that is not usually seen. The sacred objects featured here come from the urban landscape or are cultural references to slang, such as clothing and materials like brick and cinder blocks.
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