SACRED AND PROFANE

There are now 28 paintings under this title. They have always been shown in selected sets, as illustrated on page 15 of the publication, House of Miracles.

A painterly exploration is made of material gathered from churches and museum collections to market stalls and specialist "magic shops" or the artist's collection of christian votive figures, Macumba and Candomble figures in wood, metal or plaster. The resolution of each painting is a combination of reference and invention. There is latitude for interpretation as in all popular iconography and religious art, which is where the real interest lies.

N.B. In Afro Brazilian religion African deities are syncretised with catholic saints. Exu relates to St Peter or St Bartholomew. (He is known as Exu the Keeper of Cemeteries and Exu the Protector of houses and Temples.) St Jorge with his armour relates to Ogum / Ogun the West African god of War. (Very popular with Brazilian Truck Drivers), Yemanja, the sea-goddess, with Mary and Oxala the most powerful Orixa is syncretised with Jesus Christ.

As well as Exu, St Jorge, Yemanja and Oxala, this series of small works includes a carved crucifixion, the Black Virgin, St lucy, S. Sebastian, St Peter, St Lucy Ze Pelintra, and PombaGira, Yansa, Logunede, Oxumare and Ex Votos.

AR