Friday, January 13, 2012

ALCHEMICAL SYMBOLS IN MODERN ART/ 'Roasted Night Jewels' by Eric Whollem/ Pictographic Abstraction



ROASTED NIGHT JEWELS
1985
by Eric Whollem
wax medium on paper
Collection of the artist
9" x 6"
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

ALCHEMICAL SYMBOLS IN MODERN ART

This painting attempts to evoke the uses of the alchemical retort:
reducing materials to their elemental base. In eastern symbolism
one often hears about the 'mani jewel' being the quest of enlightenment.
The 'jewels' in the above painting seem to be minerological specimens
that take on seeming organic functions as well. This interfusion of
symbolic levels is part of the Great Mystery.

Some of the pictographic symbols in this painting appear to be types
of alchemical appartus. Retorts with extended necks are part of the
design.

Alchemists used to try to understand geology, biology, as well as
stellar phenomena; all branches of modern science have their roots
in the studies of the alchemists of old.

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EARTH PAINTINGS BY ERIC WHOLLEM              

COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY: Notes on the Symbolism of Saturn/ 'Old Saturn' by Eric Whollem/ A contemporary pictographic abstraction/ MODERN ART



OLD SATURN
1985
by Eric Whollem
gouache resist on paper
Collection of the artist
15" x 20"
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST


COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY
Notes on the Symbolism of Saturn

Saturn is said, in some mystical astrological systems, to symbolize
the Mesoamerican racial groups. Saturn, or Cronos, in Greek
mythology is said in that mythic tradition, to have devoured his own
children.

Artistically I attempted to indicate the cultures of ancient America in
the above painting, by utilizing pictographic stylization.

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ERIC WHOLLEM