Vee Hua 華婷婷Los Angeles’ Congregation Gallery has coordinated a host of artists to create works around the topic of dark religion. Many Seattle artists showed their works, including Don Farrell, Jethaniel Peterka, and Yvette Endrijautski. You can see some of the pieces, along with notes on why they were created, below.
Don Farrell
In The Light Of The World, Don Farrell has replaced a saintly form with what look liks Islamic geometries and goat-headed divinity. Says Farrell about his work:
“I wield symbols, myths, and visions intuited in my life’s journey to bring viewers to a place before powerlessness and cynicism. I hope that my art encourages you, not only to Think, but more importantly, to Feel, to Love.
The fire of the gods, burning bright – its warmth emanates from the parted palms of the open-hearted. With promethean pleasure, I open the door for all to see their Divinity, to claim their rightful crown.
Every Man and Woman is a Star; Do what thou wilt.”
Cory Benhatzel
Cory Benhatzel‘s symmetrical Satanica Naturalis expresses Satanism in its dualities, with Theistic Satanism to the left and Atheistic Satanism towards the right. Its soft color palette echoes the sentiment that Satanism is not all about blacks and reds, but about the content associated it rather than strictly the aesthetics. To comment more on the matter, she says,
“I think that all organized religion is inherently wrong, but I wanted this piece to make people think twice about Satanism; if they know nothing about it, it is worth investigating and aspects of it can actually be quite beautiful. It’s never wise to stay in a state of blind ignorance; it’s better to find out the facts and then judge for yourself, not just believe what others tell you.
The ravens are flanked by narcissus, a flower that in Floriography (Victorian flower language) stood for egotism, self-love, and self-esteem. This idea of putting yourself first is an important aspect of Satanism. The birds are also holding onto several branches of pussy willows, which form the shape of an inverted pentagram. In Floriography pussy willows hold a similar significance, that of freedom.”
See more of her comments on the painting, along with progress shots, HERE.
Scott Holloway
Scott Holloway presents a series of minimal, gold-leaf encusted macro paintings of ritualistic elements (such as Hand I and Saint II, below).
Other additional images by more than a dozen artists can be seen on the Congregation Gallery website.
Navi Esparza