Water colour from the Collection Amor Fati
“I chose two egg-shaped trees whose trunks are interconnected. The reason is that some scholars think that the two trees are actually just one. In any case, both forms are versions of the World Tree /Cosmic Tree. The egg shape is historically connected to birth, rebirth and creation itself. Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, ancient Egyptian, African, Turkish and Celtic cultures all have versions of the Tree of Life. For this reason I used a kabbalist (Jewish) design with the 10 circles (representing both earthly and heavenly connections) and filled the circles with pome-granates. The background is alive… a swirling, heavenly mix, again referencing the relationship with both earth and the heavens (God, Buddha, Brahma, etc.) In the center of the Tree of Wisdom I placed a large Sankofa bird from the West African Akan peoples, as the Sankofa bird represents wisdom. I used a sun and moon to show the element of time. Wisdom is grown and learning right from wrong requires learning… And time. One looks back to learn how to move forward, which also directly references the Sankofa.”,
a reflection from artist Greg Suffanti.
This colourful aquarel has been made especially for the book of Heidi Muijen about the Quest for Wisdom vision around the board game for global citizenship: Amor Fati, spelende wijsheid voor de kosmopolis.
On page 270, the painting illustrates a meaningful analogy in cross-cultural symbolism: elemental alchemical symbols – such as the world tree, birds of paradise and the cosmic egg – figure in myths and origin stories worldwide. These stories show how well-being for humans individually and as a community is related to the reconciliation of the conflicting masculine and feminine forces: in a process of unification through (re)connection of “above and below” as a parallel dynamic of humanity and community formation according to the great (cosmic) and human nature!
- Without frame; size 30*40 cm: € 250,=
Aquarel with a story on the very finest quality Arches paper!
postage and packing included within the Netherlands
For postage abroad request info@questforwisdom.org - With frame: € 275,=
to be collected, please request info@questforwisdom.org
