Saturnalia. 2012

In commemoration of the Winter Solstice, 12. 21. 12.   Dies Natalis Solis Invicti.

  Cronus. Egg Tempera and Oil pigments on canvas. 26" x 22".

Paintings website has been updated with all artworks exhibited in Germany & the United States in the past two years.

Posters: Microcosmus Melothesia & Stella Natura

The advent of autumn sees the release of two limited edition, silk-screened Posters.

Microcosmus Melothesia is a fine art poster produced by Ouroborus Press. Produced from an original ink illustration, the print measures 18 X 24 inches,  and is screenprinted in three colors on cream paper, illuminated with rich gold, scribal black, and a firmament of gradient blues.


'The Homo Signorum, or Man of Signs, is a curious figure which appears in medieval astrological manuscripts.  Known as the Melothesic Man or Moon’s Man in astrological medicine, it shows the signs of the zodiac on the specific parts of the body over which tradition has given them rulership. The Vierling melothesia demonstrates the hermetic ‘as above, so below’ motif wherein the microcosm has correspondence with the macrocosm. The emblem further reflects this with the serpent biting its tail, bringing to mind the ouroboros in the Codex Marcianus, which is accompanied by the Greek phrase EN TO PAN, or ALL in ALL'.

Limited to 72 hand-numbered copies. The print can be purchased directly from Ouroboros Press. 
  
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Also available is the remaining stock of the official, Stella Natura: The Light of Ancestral Fires 2012 poster. The work commemorates the music festival sponsored by the Pesanta Urfolk record label which took place on the Autumn Equinox, 2012.

All posters are two color printing, numbered and signed, edition 100 on ivory paper. Printed by Mauz at Monolith Press, in Alameda,  California. The edition of 50 on sage paper is sold out.

The poster can purchased directly from Pesanta Urfolk Records. 

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Sacred Heart fine art print

Sacred Heart by Benjamin Vierling

Sacred Heart is an original egg tempera & oil painting by Benjamin A. Vierling. Exhibited in the autumn of 2011 at the Cologne Art Fair, and in the Storytellers show, Strychnin Gallery, Germany. 

Presenting the limited edition of 250 signed & numbered 6 color lithographic prints, reproduced in a 16" x 20" format on archival coated stock. Published in cooperation with Three Hands Press, California. The pre-orders have all shipped, and the print is still available here: BUY PRINT

The cyclical function of the heart is relevant here, pumping life in and out through its undulating rhythm. The intention was to elaborate on the expiating function of the Sacred Heart devotion; the assimilation of baneful poisons is catalyzed by passion and manifests as visionary power. The Heart is a crucible wherein the transformation takes place. The outpouring of virtue and venom sustains a diverse menagerie of small creatures. There are 13 individual species represented amongst the foliage and flowers. Their activities and interactions speak of the complex web of life that sustains them all, the Sacred Heart at the center.

At its core, this work is about the dynamic relationships that exist between flora and fauna, color and form, spirit and matter. The viewer is encouraged to enter into this beguiling realm to experience individual catharsis.

The image also appears on the cover of Daniel Schulke's book, Veneficium, and is further discussed in this Interview.

Alchemical Offerings

Ouroboros Press in Seattle is offering two original pieces, the Alchemical Cabinet, and the title plate illustration from Jocus Severus.

 

The Alchemical Cabinet

 “The trompe le oil cabinet evokes the arcane laboratories of renaissance-era alchemists who established the precedent for the focus of Robert Allen Bartlett’s acclaimed book, ‘Real Alchemy’. The painting was created to adorn the cover of this quintessential text, and is now being offered for sale, after having been exhibited at the 2011 Esoteric Book Conference.

The composition highlights an evocation from the renown Ripley Scroll, Of the White and the Red, Lo Here is the True Deed.  Glyphs denoting the four elements and the seven planetary powers are orbiting solomon’s seal, while two ouroboros serpents devour one another in the transformative ceremony of opposites. The figurative architecture of the cabinet alludes to the mysterious contents of various 16th century Wunderkammern, wherein the paraphernalia crucial to the Magnum Opus might be safely kept. Genuine laboratory ephemera embellishes the work in the form of simmering carbuncles and pearlescent vials. Rich in allegory, the scene embodies the alchemist’s endeavor to transform the lowest of principals to the highest.

This original painting is beautifully framed, and will assuredly be the highlight of any original alchemical art collection.”

Jocus Severus title plate

 “This original pen and ink drawing was rendered at the bequest of William Kiesel for his exquisite pressing of the allegorical tale Jocus Severus, by the renaissance alchemist, Count Michael Maier. The artwork is inspired by the engraving which appeared in the original 17th century text, and shows 15 different species of avids flocking to attend a resurrecting phoenix. Crowned by a glorious owl, the image provides an enchanting vision of the metaphoric nuances of the text.

The drawing is impressively matted and framed, making an inviting presentation to be contemplated & explored”

Please direct all inquiries to Ouroboros Press.

Gymnogyps californianus at Thinkspace Gallery

 

Unveiling a portrait drawing of Gymnogyps californianus, to be on exhibit in the 'Wild at Heart' group show, at the Thinkspace Galley from May 26, 2012 to June 9, 2012

The drawing is executed in pen, ink & gouache on paper.  Framed piece measures 16.5" x 21"
Interested collectors please contact Andrew Hosner at the Thinkspace Gallery. 

The grotesquely magnificent California Condor is here rendered in the aesthetic of late renaissance engravings that depicted new-world explorers. These portraits tended to embellish the subject with flora, fauna and allegorical motifs that indicated various conquests and discoveries. In this case, the identity of the 'explorer' has been supplanted by an intimate rendering of Gymnogyps californianus, the California Condor. The symbolic elements convey various details about the the bird's identity within the californian context, both geographically and conceptually, establishing the significance of this species within a certain time and space. The endangered species of the Condor is here exalted through arcane portraiture. To be remembered, honored, & protected.

From the Thinkspace website:

"'Wild at Heart: Keep Wildlife in the Wild',  is an exhibition to raise awareness about the precarious predicament of wild creatures around the world, and to benefit efforts to protect them in their natural habitat. Featuring a stellar cast of more than 100 artists from all corners of the art world, this exhibition brings together some of the most profound and innovative voices making art today. In recognition of the imperiled state of much of the world’s wildlife, each artist will apply their own unique perspective to our relationship with the fascinating creatures with whom we share our planet.

Thinkspace will donate 20% of the sale price of each piece of art to Born Free USA and the Animal Protection Institute, which operate jointly as a non-profit organization that advocates worldwide for the ethical treatment and protection of wild animals, and also maintains a large sanctuary for rescued primates."

To learn more about the exhibition, please visit the Thinkspace Gallery website.

Thinkspace Gallery is located at  6009 Washington Blvd.|Culver City, CA 90232

 Opening Reception for the show is Saturday, May 26th from 5-8 PM

Album Art for Christian Mistress

February 28th, 2012 will see the release of the album, 'Possession' by the american heavy-metal quintet, Christian Mistress, on Relapse Records. The cover artwork is an original painting by Benjamin A Vierling, commissioned specifically for this release.

The chiromancy themed composition features the outstretched left hand of the band's singer, Christine Davis, and is embellished with elemental motifs and the band's sigil; a medieval glyph indicating the Holy Virgin. Christian Mistress logo design by Reuben Storey.

'Possession' is receiving enthusiastic critical acclaim from sources as diverse as: National Public Radio, Cult Nation, and The New York Times. 

For additional information, please visit the Relapse Records website.

Vierling Collaborations in Print.

Announcing future publishing plans with the illustrious Three Hands Press in California.

The advent of Spring will see the release of Veneficium: Magic, Witchcraft, and the Poison Path, by Daniel Schulke. The cover of the book will feature artwork recently exhibited in Germany, and will be released in tandem with a limited edition signed lithograph. Future illustrated projects are also in the works. For more information please visit the Three Hands Press website. 

Additional Vierling paintings used for various album covers, and an exclusive interview, are being presented in an illustrated art book titled, 'Metal & Hardcore Graphics - Extreme Artworks from the Underworld' edited by Cristian Campos. The book is published in 5 languages via Frechmann in Cologne, Germany, and is available world-wide.

Press Release from the publisher states:
This book is the first ever anthology of contemporary metal & hardcore art, and includes covers, booklets, posters, flyers, t-shirts, art, merchandising, logos and photos. This is, more than an art book, a bible of a whole lifestyle, a sourcebook of inspiration for fans, artists and anyone interested in metal and hardcore music. The book contains the work of more than 100 artists and labels, more than 2000 images, and ten in-depth interviews with metal designers and artists, illustrated with photos taken by themselves specially for the occasion.

Powers of the Sphinx by Benjamin Vierling. Ajna Records.