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Rise and Fall
2018 - 2019

These works developed in response to a trip to the Greek island of Ikaria in the Eastern Aegean. Ikaria derives its name from Icarus, the son of Daedalus in Greek mythology, who was believed to have fallen into the sea nearby*. In July, the fig trees on Ikaria were bursting with ripe figs. In Greco-Roman culture, the symbolism of the fig is overt, which is what I have exploited in this body of work. The concept of “Rise and Fall” is a direct reference to the Icarus myth but also refers to the rise and fall of civilizations. In keeping with my practice of using literary references, the paintings in this series all have titles that are taken from the epic ancient Greek poem The Illiad by Homer, a saga about the Trojan War with characters from both the mortal world and the world of the Gods.

 

*Icarus and his father attempt to escape from Crete by means of wings that his father constructed from feathers and wax. Icarus' father warns him first of complacency and then of hubris asking that he fly neither too low nor too high, so the sea's dampness would not clog his wings nor the sun's heat melt them. Icarus ignored his father's instructions not to fly too close to the sun; when the wax in his wings melted he tumbled out of the sky and fell into the sea where he drowned.

"and no man's desire went without equal share in the feast" Oil on board 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5cm)

"Never before has desire so enveloped my heart" Oil on board 18" x 24" (45.7 x 60.9cm)

"I do not think you will come back disappointed in your heart's desire" Oil on board 9" x 12" (22.9x 30.5cm)

"Strange goddess, why so eager to work this seduction on me" Oil on board 12" x 16" (30.5 x 40.6cm)

"Any moment might be our last" Oil on board 18" x 24" (45.7 x 60.9cm)

"Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed" Oil on board approx 24" x 24" (60 x 60cm)

"You will never be lovelier than you are now" Oil on board approx 24" x 24" (60 x 60cm)

"We will never be here again" Oil on board 18" x 24" (45.7 x 60.9cm)

"Give me then Love and Desire" Oil on board 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5cm)

"Let him submit to me" Oil on board 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5cm)

"sweet desire has its hold on me" Oil on board 9" x 12" (22.9x 30.5cm)

"you are the reason I have come down here" Oil on board 9" x 12" (22.9x 30.5cm)

"nothing compares with the love I feel for you now" Oil on board 9" x 12" (22.9x 30.5cm)

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