Beautifully Strange Exhibition ~ The Firebird

жар-пти́ца

Zhar-ptitsa - The Firebird

18" x  24"  Egg tempera & oil on panel

 Slavic folklore tells of a magical Firebird that inspires the seeker to embark on a challenging quest wrought with adversity, yet guided by fortune. In these beguiling tales, the mythical creature often leaves behind a singular luminous feather that catalyzites the fateful adventure. King, Fool, Knave, and Warrior all heed the call to meet their destiny on the path illuminated by the evanescent gleam of the Firebird's passing.

The painting takes it's stylistic cue from the bold iconography of russian lacquered artifacts which are traditionally decorated with scenes from myth and legend. The brilliant palette and kinetic forms, set like gems into the glittering ebony field, are here depicted in the manner of nineteenth century ornithological illustrations, wherein the delicate structures of feather and talon are rendered with naturalistic precision.

This union of the fantastic with the mundane kindles a yearning to embark on the hunt for all that is rare and elusive. The search for the unattainable is realized in the vision of the effulgent Zhar-ptitsa.

The Firebird painting will be on display March 29 – April 24, 2013, at the Clement Art Gallery in Troy, New York, as part of the Beautifully Strange show curated by Jon Christopher Gernon. The show features 12 acclaimed artists, including Carrie Ann Baade, Steven Kenny, Caitlin Hackett, and others, whose work is described as, 'exquisite, peculiar, astounding, dazzling, fascinating, mystifying, curious, delicate, magnificent, fantastic, alluring, unusual, enticing and Beautifully Strange.'

 The Window

12" x 12"  Egg tempera & oil on Panel

Also included in the show will be the painting, The Window, whose subject echoes the Aves theme.  The intimate symbolism of the composition is rooted firmly in the romantic-era tradition of the 'Window View', as perfected by painters such as Caspar David Friedrich, Adolph Menzel, and Vilhelm Hammershøi.

Both paintings are offered for sale. 

The show opens Friday, March 29, 6-9pm. Clament Gallery.  201 Broadway Troy, New York 12180 (518)272-6811

For purchase inquiries and more information about the exhibition, please visit the Clament Gallery Website, and the Beautifully Strange Blog.

Die Chymische Hockzeit & CLAVIS

Die Chymische Hochzeit, an illuminated Vierling illustration dating from the first year of the 21st Century, appears in the premier issue of the CLAVIS Journal, co-published by Ouroboros Press and Three Hands Press.
  
"Born of the desire to serve an increasingly sophisticated esoteric community, the journal's pages wed the dual arenas of scholar and practitioner, our aim to serve as a magical resource for years to come. In accord with the Emblem of our work, the journal provides unique access to magical strata and currents of esoteric thought not found elsewhere. Our pages feature Magical Theory and Practice, Hermetic Studies, Comparative and Esoteric Religion, History of Magic, Folklore and newly-emergent fields of syncretic occult praxis."

The Vierling illustration, which depicts the sacred union of male and female principles and is inspired by the theme as explored by Johannes Valentinus Andreä, accompanies an article on the Philosophical Mercury, by the renowned 15th century alchemist, Sir George Ripley.

The Journal will be launched at an event in Seattle, at the Hiawatha Lofts, on March 26th, 7-10 PM. The original Die Chymsiche Hochzeit artwork will be on display. Interested collectors please contact William Kiesel at Ouroboros Press.