This exhibition used close up photographs of eyes submitted by the public during a 7-week period between 1st December 2016 and 20th January 2017. Considering eyes are regarded as the window to the soul, the artist’s (Andrew Shackleton) intention is to use these photographs as an invocation to the ancient Egyptian gods; Isis, Horus and Osiris.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis (the mother) is regarded as the divine feminine and is associated with the Moon. Osiris (the father) is regarded as the divine masculine and is associated with the Sun. Horus (the son/holy ghost) is regarded as the first incarnation of the gods on Earth, every pharaoh was believed to be his earthly embodiment. Horus is associated with the Earth and the mystical third eye (the eye of Horus). Horus was also known as the sky god and was considered to contain the Sun in his right eye and the Moon in his left eye.
Video Triptych
On the east wall a video triptych represented a reconnection of humanities divine self to the wider universe, through the three ancient gods; Isis, Horus and Osiris.
Moon (Isis).
All the left eyes received were used in the Moon (Isis) cycle, coming into view as the moon travels through its new moon (black) phase. The moon reminds us of birth, death and the cycles in between. The rebirth of the moon, from new to full, gives us a hint regarding a soul’s cycles of continual reincarnation. The darkness denotes the beginning, and symbolically represents the start of something new, a renewal.
Earth (Horus).
The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 13th, 21st, 34th, 55th, 89th received eyes (following the Fibonacci sequence, related to the golden ratio which occurs frequently throughout the natural world) were used in the Earth (Horus) cycle. The spinning Earth superimposed over the pupil of the eyes represents our place in the universe, the Earth is our material home but we are not bound by it. Our divine nature transcends our physical and material self, is connected to and part of the wider universe.
Sun (Osiris).
All the right eyes received were used in the Sun (Osiris) cycle, they are colorized to show the universe within them, within us, bringing our hidden depths into clear view. The solar flares coming off the eyes represents the innate power/energy within our divine self, exploding out into the cosmos. As Aleister Crowley proclaimed, “Every man and woman is a star!”.
Butterfly Eyes
On the west wall a 13 x 8 grid of A6 framed postcards, one of each eye superimposed on the wings of a butterfly, were arranged in a way that highlights the golden spiral, a reference to the mathematics of nature and our spiritual seeking/yearning self. The butterfly is considered to be a deep and powerful representation of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls, and as a symbol of resurrection, freedom and transformation.
Together, both pieces symbolically represent and invoke our connection to and with the wider universe; the freedom, transformation and transcendence of our souls; through a reconnection with the ancient Egyptian gods; Isis, Horus and Osiris.
We come from the darkness into the light.
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Numbers:
Submitted photographs of eyes : 104
Left eyes received : 44, Right eyes received : 60
Male eyes received : 47, Female eyes received : 57
Blue eyes received : 51, Brown : 50, Green : 2, Yellow : 1
Exhibition Visitors (11-12th Feb) : 121
Opening night party guests (10th Feb) : 72
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