Heidi Lee’s Artist Talk at the Opening Reception for Rejuvenation at the Harvard Ed Portal on July 20k 2017.
“Sanctification” at the Rejuvenation Exhibition.
Painting in mixed media: Acrylic and Oil on canvas.
This painting deals with spirituality. It refers to prayer and spiritual awareness. Some of us are “gifted” with this.. sensitivity to the world around us.
In this composition, the main figure is grappling with the confusion (as well as) the peace that surrounds.
The peace may have been birthed because of .. or despite that confusion.
The second main figure sits, as if on his throne. Disguised with angel’s wings.
Is it the tormentor?
or is it merely a witness?
There are limbs and daggers, penetrating space.
a poem by Arthur Rimbaud:
“To whom shall I hire myself out? What beast must I adore? What holy image attacked? What hearts shall I break? What lies shall I uphold? what blood tread?”
This painting (to me) was in some ways like an icon. Icon painters meticulously prepare their egg yolk, mix it with the necessary pigment powders, and layer by layer, stroke by stroke.. a prayer is lifted. ..maybe even a cry laid bare.
Sanctification is defined as:
the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy. … To sanctify is to literally “set apart for particular use in a special purpose or work and to make holy or sacred.”
We are all sojourning through this process of accepting and better understanding our own sacredness.
To the left side of the main figure’s head, exists a symbol of the Ray of Hope. It does not cast the dark presence away, but it does give strength enough for the sacred figure to grasp with their right hand..
..with all that remains.
Thank you.
I hope you enjoy the rest of this exhibit.