Phylactery 2011: Birthright

Phylactery 2011: Birthright


Existence does not tolerate Freedom. From the moment we are born we are instinctively shackled to life like the depicted bird drawn to the water (which is perhaps ironic, considering that death and non-existence may be the ultimate idea of freedom), and we are often attracted to all the things that bind and constrict us. Like Power - the trees made of eyes, all-seeing and ever-present, and increasingly immobile. Beauty - flowers, delicate as paper cut-outs, easily destroyed and inevitably lost, but yet, renewable. The Past, and Tradition - like the bones of the dead upon which we feed for our power.

Yes, perhaps we are the bird, rooted to the tree and the 'powers' we accumulate. We can say we are free, but we build our own cages, and, the best ones are the ones we won't resist, anyway.

I'm not saying death is the way out, or that we could ever, as one, give up our hard-earned Power in human society. But I like the idea of a society not bound by the fanatical need to acquire it, and more of it. I don't know if that would be Freedom at all. Perhaps it would be freedom enough?



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Pigment ink pens (mostly Pigma MICRON), 005, 03, 05 and 08, on Bristol Vellum 76cm x 56cm.

Named a 'phylactery' because that's what it is. Inked over 16 days.



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