Tags
archetypal symbols, KALA Institute, Language of the Goddess, Marija Gimbutas, matrilineal, monotype prints, Neolithic goddess culture, Riane Eisler
In the early 90’s, Marija Gimbutas’ book, The Language of the Goddess, (Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1989) had a huge impact on my work. In this book, Gimbutas, a revisionist anthropologist, provided a fresh look at the Neolithic Goddess Culture, cataloguing the artifacts and symbols found on cave walls, rocks, sculpture and pottery from Old Europe. These matrilineal societies, peaceful and agrarian, existed long before our current patriarchal system. (The Chalice & The Blade, Riane Eisler)
At the time I discovered Gimbutas’ book, my artwork focused on the female figure in a feminist vein. But while an artist in residence at KALA Institute, I began creating large-scale monotype prints that reflected many of the symbols I’d found in her book. The spiral, the pubic triangle, the chevron and concentric circles began appearing in these 42” x 55” monotypes. It was at that point, my art shifted direction to focus on archetypal symbols with a decidedly feminine nature, inspired by the ancient goddess cultures around the world. My work today still carries the influence from this pivotal point in my career. Here are some of these early prints, some of which are still available. Contact me if you are interested is seeing more.
Vortex
The Power of Three – Comb
Chevron
Circular Passage
