The artist Kate (right) and her daughter Mina
In the previous edition of Theosophy Forward we introduced Kate Blalack from Oklahoma, USA. She is a delightful young woman who for some years now has been working as a volunteer for this e-magazine. Next to that she is talented, a sincere seeker, and she is smart. In this 4thquarter issue Kate presents yet another series of her art work. The descriptions are hers.
Paradox
(wire, polymer clay, cloth, clock, acrylic paint, 36” tall sculpture)
I had become obsessed with creating something that was “un-real” that appeared “real.” I wanted to break the 4thwall, figuratively speaking J. This clock person was what emerged. I knew that if I could capture time, it would be in paradox. So I did just that.
Look Inside
(acrylic paint on canvas, 8” x 12”)
Russian matryoska dolls have always fascinated me. I began collecting them from my father when he would return from visiting Russia, then my mother, then other people as they saw my collection grow. To me, the self inside emerging again and again in an endless fractal of reoccurrences was a perfect representation of karma. Many of these dolls told stories in pictures on their bellies, the great fairy tales and myths, these helped me to see that what has real meaning is deep within, and that the self is not just one being. Here I have shown the light inside the self.
Ouroboros
(acrylic paint on canvas, 24” x 24”)
This ancient symbol, the world serpent, was always interesting to me. The king snake, the serpent, etc., was a representation of the material universe. I came to discover Theosophy through my studies of alchemy and Gnosticism. This is where I first learned of the ouroboros, and this is my representation.
Pooka
(0il paint on canvas, 18” x 24”)
My family is Irish/Italian. My grandfather came from County Tipperary in Ireland, first generation American. He was full of stories of creatures, such as the Pooka, from the “Old Country.” I loved the idea of a shape-shifter and always imagined one to be hiding in the corner of my grandparent’s house. Their house was where I first learned self-reflection and meditation. When I would visit them by myself, it was the first time I had to myself, as my parent’s house was full of the noise of four children and four cats. I later learned more about elementals, and I learned the Pooka was a representation of one of them.